Innovative HPTLC method for simultaneous determination of ternary mixture of certain DMARDs in real samples of rheumatoid arthritis patients: an application of quality by design approach

Various techniques for resolving overlapping ultraviolet spectra of combination pharmaceutical dosage forms containing hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol

Ten novel spectrophotometric approaches were developed for the initial examination of the Hydroxychloroquine and Paracetamol medications. These procedures are straightforward, specific, easy to use, and provide exact and accurate results. The determination was conducted through the utilization of several approaches, including zero order (dual wavelength, zero crossing, advanced absorption subtraction and spectrum subtraction), derivative (first derivative of zero crossing), ratio (ratio difference, ratio derivative) and mathematical (bivariate, simultaneous equation, and Q-absorbance) techniques. After undergoing validation in accordance with ICH criteria, it was established that each of these methods achieved acceptable levels of precision, repeatability, robustness, and accuracy. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are demonstrated, and the proposed and reported methodologies were statistically compared.

AQbD TLC-densitometric method approach along with green fingerprint and whiteness assessment for quantifying two combined antihypertensive agents and their impurities

Preserving the environment, reducing the amount of waste resulting from chemical trials, and reducing the amount of energy consumed have currently become a pivotal global trend. An analytical quality by design (AQbD) based eco-friendly TLC-densitometric method was implemented for quantifying two antihypertensive agents, captopril (CPL) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCZ), along with their impurities; captopril disulphide (CDS), chlorothiazide (CTZ) and salamide (SMD). The analytical target profile (ATP) was first identified, followed by selecting the critical analytical attributes (CAAs), such as retardation factors and resolution between the separated peaks. Critical method parameters (CMPs) that may have a crucial influence on CAAs were identified and emanated through the quality risk assessment phase. A literature survey-based preliminary studies were performed, followed by optimization of the selected CMPs through a custom experimental design to attain the highest resolution with optimum retardation factors. Moreover, method robustness was also tested by testing the design space. Complete separation of the drugs and their impurities was achieved using ethyl acetate: glacial acetic acid (6: 0.6, v/v) as a developing system applied to a 12 cm length TLC plate at room temperature with UV scanning at 215 nm. Calibration graphs were found to be linear in the ranges of (0.70-6.00), (0.10-2.00), (0.20-1.00), (0.07-1.50) and (0.05-1.00) µg/band corresponding to CPL, HCZ, CDS, CTZ, and SMD, respectively. Four different green metric tools were used to evaluate the greenness profile of the proposed method, and results showed that it is greener than the reported HPLC method. Method whiteness assessment was also conducted. Moreover, the method performance was evaluated following the ICH guidelines, and the outcomes fell within the acceptable limits. The developed method could be approved for routine assay of the cited components in their pharmaceutical formulations and bulk powder without interference from the reported impurities. The issue of concern is saving money, especially in developing countries.

Additively manufactured electrodes for the electrochemical detection of hydroxychloroquine

Although studies have demonstrated the inactivity of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) towards SARS-CoV-2, this compound was one of the most prescribed by medical organizations for the treatment of hospitalized patients during the coronavirus pandemic. As a result of it, HCQ has been considered as a potential emerging contaminant in aquatic environments. In this context, we propose a complete electrochemical device comprising cell and working electrode fabricated by the additive manufacture (3D-printing) technology for HCQ monitoring. For this, a 3D-printed working electrode made of a conductive PLA containing carbon black assembled in a 3D-printed cell was associated with square wave voltammetry (SWV) for the fast and sensitive determination of HCQ. After a simple surface activation procedure, the proposed 3D-printed sensor showed a linear response towards HCQ detection (0.4-7.5 μmol L^-1) with a limit of detection of 0.04 μmol L^-1 and precision of 2.4% (n = 10). The applicability of this device was shown to the analysis of pharmaceutical and water samples. Recovery values between 99 and 112% were achieved for tap water samples and, in addition, the obtained concentration values for pharmaceutical tablets agreed with the values obtained by spectrophotometry (UV region) at a 95% confidence level. The proposed device combined with portable instrumentation is promising for on-site HCQ detection.

Analytical Methods for the Determination of Major Drugs Used for the Treatment of COVID-19. A Review

At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak (end 2019 - 2020), therapeutic treatments based on approved drugs have been the fastest approaches to combat the new coronavirus pandemic. Nowadays several vaccines are available. However, the worldwide vaccination program is going to take a long time and its success will depend on the vaccine public's acceptance. Therefore, outside of vaccination, the repurposing of existing antiviral, anti-inflammatory and other types of drugs, have been considered an alternative medical strategy for the COVI-19 infection. Due to the broad clinical potential of the drugs, but also to their possible side effects, analytical methods are needed to monitor the drug concentrations in biological fluids and pharmaceutical products. This review deals with analytical methods developed in the period 2015 - July 2021 to detect potential drugs that, according to a literature survey, have been taken into consideration for the treatment of COVID-19. The drugs considered here have been selected on the basis of the number of articles published in the period January 2020-July 2021, using the combination of the keywords: COVID-19 and drugs or SARS-CoV-2 and drugs. A section is also devoted to monoclonal antibodies. Over the period considered, the analytical methods have been employed in a variety of real samples, such as body fluids (plasma, blood and urine), pharmaceutical products, environmental matrices and food.

Application of the Life Cycle Management of Analytical methods concept to a HPTLC-DPPH assay method for acteoside content in industrial extracts of Plantago lanceolata L

Analytical methods used for quality control of plants and plant extracts are based on the identification and quantification of chemical markers to manage batch reproducibility and efficacy. The aim of this work was to assess the performance of a High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) method developed for quality control of industrial dry extracts of ribwort plantain (P. lanceolata L.), using 2,2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH) effect directed chemical reaction for antioxidant activity of acteoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside commonly used as a marker for P. lanceolata L., and to demonstrate the applicability of the Life Cycle Management of Analytical Methods concept to quantitative HPTLC-DPPH methods. The first step was the determination of the Analytical Target Profile (ATP) and Target Measurement Uncertainty (TMU), taking into account the quality control requirements for such extracts and the detection method applicable range. Once the desired range was established, an evaluation of the calibration function was conducted using several calibration models. Due to the lack of reference samples, spiked samples were used to evaluate the accuracy of the method by means of Total Analytical Error (TAE) determination, using prediction intervals calculation for the selected calibration functions. Measurement Uncertainty (MU) was also estimated, allowing the final choice of the calibration function to be used for quality control, giving the most fit for purpose performance level in accordance with the product specifications. As Life Cycle Management of the method also includes its routine use, the Measurement Uncertainty was checked on spiked and unspiked extract samples with different dilution levels, in order to verify the accordance of results between spiked and unspiked samples and to prepare a replication strategy to be applied during the routine use of the method.

QbD-steered development and validation of an RP-HPLC method for quantification of ferulic acid: Rational application of chemometric tools

The present work describes the systematic development of a simple, rapid, sensitive, robust, effective and cost-effective reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for quantitative analysis of ferulic acid using analytical quality by design paradigms. Initially, apt wavelength for the analysis of ferulic acid was selected employing principal component analysis as the chemometric tool. An Ishikawa fishbone diagram was constructed to delineate various plausible variables influencing analytical target profile, viz. peak area, theoretical plate count, retention time and peak tailing as the critical analytical attributes. Risk assessment using risk estimation matrix and factor screening studies employing Taguchi design aided in demarcating two critical method parameters, viz. mobile phase ratio and flow rate affecting critical analytical attributes. Subsequently, the optimum operational conditions of the liquid chromatographic method were delineated using face-centred composite design. Multicollinearity among the chosen factors for optimization was analyzed by the magnitude of variance inflation factor optimized analytical design space, providing optimum method performance, was earmarked using numerical and graphical optimization and corroborated using Monte Carlo simulations. Validation, as per the ICH Q2(R1) guidelines, ratified the efficiency and sensitivity of the developed novel analytical method of ferulic acid in the mobile phase and the human plasma matrix. The optimal method used a mobile phase, comprising of acetonitrile: water (47:53% v/v, pH adjusted to 3.0 with glacial acetic acid), at a flow rate of 0.8 mL·min^-1, at a λ_max of 322 nm using a C₁₈ column. Use of principal component analysis unearthed the suitable wavelength for analysis, while analytical quality by design approach, along with Monte Carlo simulations, facilitated the identification of influential variables in obtaining the "best plausible" validated chromatographic solution for efficient quantification of ferulic acid.