Simultaneous ultra-trace quantitative colorimetric determination of antidiabetic drugs based on gold nanoparticles aggregation using multivariate calibration and neural network methods

Implications of analytical nanoscience in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields: A critical view

This review summarizes recent progress performed in the design and application of analytical tools and methodologies using nanomaterials for pharmaceutical analysis, and specifically new nanomedicines at distinct phases of development and translation from preclinical to clinical stages. Over the last 10-15 years, a growing number of studies have utilized various nanomaterials, including carbon-based, metallic nanoparticles, polymeric nanomaterials, materials based on biological molecules, and composite nanomaterials as tools for improving the analysis of pharmaceutical products. New and more complex nanomaterials are currently being explored to influence different stages of the analytical process. These materials provide unique properties to support the extraction of analytes in complex samples, increase the selectivity and efficiency of chromatographic separations, and improve the analytical properties of many sensor applications. Indeed, nanomaterials, including electrochemical detection approaches and biosensing, are expanding at a remarkable rate. Furthermore, the analytical performance of numerous approaches to determine drugs in different matrices can be significantly improved in terms of precision, detection limits, selectivity, and time of analysis. However, the quality control and metrological characterization of the currently synthesized nanomaterials still depend on the development of new and improved analytical methodologies, and the application of specific and improved instrumentation. Therefore, there is still much to explore about the properties of nanomaterials which need to be determined even more precisely and accurately.

Rapid and naked-eye colorimetric detection of ultra trace sumatriptan in drinking water, saliva, and human urine samples based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles

In this study, the determination of sumatriptan (SUM) was performed using a simple, rapid, and precise colorimetric method based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) feature of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). By adding SUM, the aggregation was observed in AuNPs with red-to-blue color shifts. The size distribution of NPs was estimated before and after adding SUM via dynamic light scattering (DLS), which was found to be 15.34 and 97.45 nm, respectively. Characterization of AuNPs, SUM, and AuNPs in combination with SUM was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Examining the effect of pH, the volume of buffer, the concentration of AuNPs, interaction time, and ionic strength revealed that their optimal values were 6, 100 μL, 5 μM, 14 min, and 12 μg L-1, respectively. The suggested method was able to determine the amount of SUM in a linear range of 10 to 250 μg L-1 with a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.392 and 1.03 μg L-1, respectively. This approach was successfully applied to determine SUM in drinking water, saliva, and human urine samples with relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 0.03%, 0.3%, and 1.0%, respectively.

Application of net analyte signal and principal component regression for rapid simultaneous determination of Levodopa and carbidopa in commercial pharmaceutical formulation and breast (human) milk sample using spectrophotometric method

In this study, a UV-vis spectrophotometric method coupled with net analyte signal (NAS) and principal component regression (PCR) as multivariate calibration methods were used for the simultaneous determination of levodopa (LEV) and carbidopa (CBD) in prepared mixtures, pharmaceutical formulation, and breast milk sample. The mean recovery of the NAS model was 98.10% and 99.60% for LEV and CBD, respectively. Also, the relative standard deviation (RSD%) values were found to be lower than 5.5% and 4% for LEV and CBD, respectively. On the other hand, the mean recovery of LEV and CBD related to the PCR method was obtained at 96.86% and 92.43%, respectively. K-Fold cross-validation was used to estimate the number of components, which was 7 and 3 with a mean square error prediction (MSEP) of 1.50 and 7.14 for LEV and CBD, respectively. The results revealed that the NAS model was better than the PCR model. Additionally, the proposed NAS-based calibration method was successfully developed for the simultaneous analyses of LEV and CBD in a commercial tablet and breast milk.

Thermodynamic and Computational (DFT) Study of Non-Covalent Interaction Mechanisms of Charge Transfer Complex of Linagliptin with 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) and Chloranilic acid (CHA)

This study describes the non-covalent interactions of the charge transfer complex (CT), which was responsible for the synthesis of Linagliptin (LNG) with 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-Dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), or with Chloranilic acid (CHA) complexes in acetonitrile (MeCN) at temperatures of (25 ± 2 °C). Then, a UV–Vis spectrophotometer was utilized to identify Linagliptin (LNG) from these complexes. For the quantitative measurement of Linagliptin in bulk form, UV–Vis techniques have been developed and validated in accordance with ICH criteria for several aspects, including selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, LOD, LOQ, and robustness. The optimization of the complex synthesis was based on solvent polarization; the ratio of molecules in complexes; the association constant; and Gibbs energy (ΔG°). The experimental work is supported by the computational investigation of the complexes utilizing density functional theory as well as (QTAIM); (NCI) index; and (RDG). According to the optimized conditions, Beer’s law was observed between 2.5–100 and 5–100 µM with correlation coefficients of 1.9997 and 1.9998 for LGN-DDQ and LGN-CHA complexes, respectively. For LGN-DDQ and LGN-CHA complexes, the LOD and LOQ were (1.0844 and 1.4406 μM) and (3.2861 and 4.3655 μM), respectively. The approach was successfully used to measure LGN in its bulk form with high precision and accuracy.

Surface engineering strategies of gold nanomaterials and their applications in biomedicine and detection

Gold nanomaterials have potential applications in biosensors and biomedicine due to their controllable synthesis steps, high biocompatibility, low toxicity and easy surface modification. However, there are still various limitations including low water solubility and stability, which greatly affect their applications. In addition, some synthetic methods are very complicated and costly. Therefore, huge efforts have been made to improve their properties. This review mainly introduces the strategies for surface modification of gold nanomaterials, such as amines, biological small molecules and organic small molecules as well as the biological applications of these functionalized AuNPs. We aim to provide effective ideas for better functionalization of gold nanomaterials in the future.

Counterfeit formulations: analytical perspective on anorectics

Purpose

This paper examines the scope of anorectics in counterfeit weight-reducing formulations and provides insight into the present state of research in determining such adulterants. Analytical techniques utilised in profiling adulterants found in slimming products, including limitations and mitigation steps of these conventional methods are also discussed. The current legal status of the anorectics and analogues routinely encountered in non-prescription slimming formulations is also explored.

Methods

All reviewed literature was extracted from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases using relevant search terms, such as, ‘counterfeit drugs’, ‘weight loss drugs’, ‘weight-reducing drugs’, ‘slimming drugs’, ‘anorectic agents’, and ‘counterfeit anorexics’. Legislation related to anorectics was obtained from the portals of various government and international agencies.

Results

Anorectics frequently profiled in counterfeit slimming formulations are mostly amphetamine derivatives or its analogues. Five routinely reported pharmacological classes of adulterants, namely anxiolytics, diuretics, antidepressants, laxatives, and stimulants, are mainly utilised as coadjuvants in fake weigh-reducing formulations to increase bioavailability or to minimise anticipated side effects. Liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detectors are predominantly used techniques for anorectic analysis due to the possibility of obtaining detailed information of adulterants. However, interference from the complex sample matrices of these fake products limits the accuracy of these methods and requires robust sample preparation methods for enhanced sensitivity and selectivity. The most common anorectics found in counterfeit slimming medicines are either completely banned or available by prescription only, in many countries.

Conclusions

Slimming formulations doped with anorectic cocktails to boost their weight-reducing efficacy are not uncommon. Liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry remains the gold standard for counterfeit drug analysis, and requires improved preconcentration methods for rapid and quantitative identification of specific chemical constituents. Extensive method development and validation, targeted at refining existing techniques while developing new ones, is expected to improve the analytical profiling of counterfeit anorectics significantly.

Synthesis of vildagliptin conjugated metal nanoparticles for type II diabetes control: targeting the DPP-IV enzyme

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide.