Development of a gas chromatography method for the determination of isotretinoin and its degradation products in pharmaceuticals

Environmentally friendly stability-indicating HPLC method for the determination of isotretinoin in commercial products and solubility samples

In this study, an environmentally friendly "high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)" assay to quantify isotretinoin (ITN) in commercial products and solubility samples is designed and verified. A Nucleodur reverse-phase C18 column was used as the stationary phase to identify ITN. The ecologically friendly mobile phase was composed of ethyl acetate and ethanol (50:50 v/v), and it was delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. ITN was measured at 354 nm in wavelength. The current HPLC method had a determination coefficient of 0.9994 and was linear in the 0.2-80 μg/g range. The current protocol for ITN measurement was also rapid (retention time = 2.78 min), accurate (%recoveries = 98.60-101.52), precise (% uncertainties = 0.71-0.98), and sensitive. According to the AGREE methodology, the current procedure received an outstanding greenness profile with an AGREE score of 0.76. By determining ITN in commercial products and solubility samples, the applicability of the current approach was proven. ITN was discovered to be present in 98.43% and 100.84%, respectively, of commercial capsule brands A and B. The ITN's solubility in numerous eco-friendly solvents was successfully measured. Under different stress conditions, the current approach was able to distinguish between its degradation products, demonstrating its stability-indicating characteristics. These findings indicated that ITN in procured capsules and solubility samples might be regularly tested by the suggested approach.

Assay of Tretinoin using Safranine-O as a Chromogenic Reagent in Bulk and Dosage Forms

A new, economical and accurate analytical technique was developed for the assay of tretinoin (TTN) in bulk and formulations. While developing the method, it was found that the reaction was carried out due to the formation of ion-pair association complex involving the carboxyl group in the side chain of the TTN with safranine-O. The colored species formined was stable up to 60 minutes. The optical density of color species was measured at 520 nm. All the variables were optimized. The linearity range lies for the developed method within the concentration ranges of 2-10 μg mL-1.The linear correlation coefficient (r) and molar absorptivity (ϵmax)values were found as 0.9999 and 1.66 x 104 L mol–1cm–1. Percentage recoveries were found from 99.2 ± 1.8 to 100.2 ± 0.7.The method was validated as per ICH guidelines.

Occurrence, detection and ecotoxicity studies of selected pharmaceuticals in aqueous ecosystems- a systematic appraisal

Pharmaceutical compounds (PCs) have globally emerged as a significant group of environmental contaminants due to the constant detection of their residues in the environment. The main scope of this review is to fill the void of information on the knowledge on the African occurrence of selected PCs in environmental matrices in comparison with those outside Africa and their respective toxic actions on both aquatic and non-aquatic biota through ecotoxicity bioassays. To achieve this objective, the study focused on commonly used and detected pharmaceutical drugs (residues). Based on the conducted literature survey, Africa has the highest levels of ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, lamivudine, acetaminophen, and diclofenac while Europe has the lowest of all these PC residues in her physical environments. For ecotoxicity bioassays, the few data available are mostly on individual groups of pharmaceuticals whereas there is sparsely available data on their combined forms.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the environment: Where were we and how far we have come?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most well-known pharmaceuticals with a broad scope of properties that are widely used in human and veterinary medicine. Because of their extensive utilization, NSAIDs are commonly identified in the environment as trace emerging contaminants. Regardless of vast experience with these drugs, NSAIDs are full of contradictions that trigger major concerns for environmental researchers. A limited understanding on NSAID's occurrence, distribution and eco-toxicological effects have led to an escalated dilemma in the last decade. Thus, a broad-spectrum study covering all aspects of occurrence, detection and removal is required to meet the fundamental levels of knowledge on the effects of NSAIDs in all exposed environmental aspects. Therefore, this paper focuses on classifying the sources and entry points of residual NSAIDs. Further, detecting and regulating their concentrations in both input streams and receiving environments, along with the removal processes of this specific class of emerging compounds, in the direction of developing a management policy is comprehensively reviewed.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is chemically named as: (2Z, 4E, 6E, 8E)-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid. It is an orally active retinoic acid derivative for the treatment of severe refractory nodulocystic acne. It acts primarily by reducing sebaceous gland size and sebum production, and as a result alters skin surface lipid composition. Using isotretinoin for 1-2mg/kg/day for 3-4 months produces 60%-95% clearance of inflammatory lesions in patients with acne. Doses as low as 0.1mg/kg/day have also proven successful in the clearance of lesions. Encouraging results have also been seen in small numbers of patients with rosacea, Side effects affecting the mucocutaneous system and raised serum triglyceride levels occur in most patients receiving isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is strictly contraindicated in women of childbearing potential. This profile discusses and explains names of isotretinoin, its physical and chemical characteristics. It also includes methods of preparation, thermal and spectral behavior, methods of analysis, and pharmacology.

A rapid HPLC method for simultaneous determination of tretinoin and isotretinoin in dermatological formulations

A rapid method using an isocratic high-pressure liquid chromatography and UV detection for determination of both all-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin) and 13-cis retinoic acid (isotretinoin) in dermatological preparations is presented. Tretinoin and isotretinoin samples were extracted with acetonitrile by a procedure that can be completed in less than 10 min. Subsequent separation and quantification of amounts as low as 10 pmol was accomplished in less than 15 min using reversed-phase HPLC with isocratic elution with 0.01% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)/acetonitrile (15:85, v/v). Validation experiments confirmed the precision and accuracy of the method. When applied to commercial tretinoin samples, recoveries of 104.9% for cream formulations and 107.7% for gel formulations were obtained. Application of the method for analysis of a tretinoin cream exposed to solar simulated light (SSL) demonstrated detection of the major photoisomerization product isotretinoin as well as 9-cis retinoic acid, demonstrating the utility of the method for studies of tretinoin photostability. The method should also facilitate studies of the formulation compatibility and photocompatibility of tretinoin with agents that may improve its clinical tolerability.