Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Antiproliferative Evaluation of NBD-Triterpene Fluorescent Probes

A fluorescent labeling protocol for hydroxylated natural compounds with promising antitumor properties has been used to synthesize, in yields of 72-86%, 12 derivatives having fluorescent properties and biological activity. The reagent used for the synthesis of these fluorescent derivatives was 7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole chloride (NBD-Cl). The linkers employed to bind the NBD-Cl reagent to the natural compounds were ω-amino acids (Aa) of different chain lengths. The natural triterpene compounds chosen were oleanolic and maslinic acid, as their corresponding 28-benzylated derivatives. Thus, 12 NBD-Aa-triterpene conjugates have been studied for their optical fluorescence properties and their biological activities against cell proliferation in three cancer cell lines (B16-F10, HT-29, and HepG2), compared with three nontumor cell lines (HPF, IEC-18, and WRL68) from different tissues. The results of the fluorescence study have shown that the best fluorescent labels are those in which the ω-amino acid chain is shorter, and the carboxylic group is not benzylated. Analysis by confocal microscopy showed that these compounds were rapidly incorporated into cells in all three cancer cell lines, with these same derivatives showing the highest toxicity against the cancer cell lines tested. Then, the fluorescent labeling of these NBD-Aa-triterpene conjugates enabled their uptake and subcellular distribution to be followed in order to probe in detail their biological properties at the cellular and molecular level.

Bio-analytically fluorimetric method for estimation of ertapenem in real human plasma and commercial samples; Application to pharmacokinetics study

Ertapenem (EPM) is recently approved via FDA as antimicrobial drug. EPM has a broad spectrum against different bacterial strains and most common prescribed in Egypt for treatment klebsiella pneumonia. In this study, EPM was estimated using sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method in human plasma and pharmaceutical vial. The measured fluorescence (at 540 nm) obtained from reaction of EPM with 0.05 % w/v NBD-Cl (benzofurazan) using 0.1 M borate buffer pH 8.8 after excitation at 460 nm. The fluorometric linear range is stabilized from 10 to 350 ng mL^-1 . The lower limit of detection (LOD) and the lower limit of quantitation (LOQ) was found to be 2.13 and 6.47 ng mL^-1 respectively. Many factors as pH, temperature and heating time and NBD-Cl concentration were optimized. The presented work was validated according to ICH guidelines and bioanalytically validated using FDA recommendations. The significant of this study and sensitivity was successfully applied in pharmacokinetic study and commercial vial in Egypt. The pharmacokinetic parameters were studied and result recorded as C_max of EPM was found 83.60 μ mL^-1 after infusion 0.5 g of Invanz® for 30 min and AUC_0-ꝏ was found to be 320 ± 30.2 μ.h mL^-1 .

Ultra-Sensitive Fluorimetric Method for the First Estimation of Vonoprazan in Real Human Plasma and Content Uniformity Test

Vonoprazan (VON) has been approved recently via US-FDA in 2015 as the first in class of potassium competitive acid blocker group. VON is used for management of GIT ulcer, reflux esophagitis and for eradication of Helicobacter pylori. So, the first spectrofluorimetric method was developed for estimation of VON in real human plasma and content uniformity test. The fluorimetric methodology based on reaction of secondary amine group in VON with benzofurazan (0.05% w/v NBD-Cl) reagent as nucleophilic substitution reaction in alkaline medium (0.1 M borate buffer pH 8.2) to produce highly fluorescent product measure at 530 nm after excitation at 465 nm. The linear calibration range was found 15 to 200 ng mL^-1 with lower limit of quantitation (LOQ) equal to 8.57 ng mL^-1. The method was successfully applied for estimation of VON in pharmacokinetic (PK) and content uniformity studies. The maximum plasma concentration was found to be (C_max) 71.03 ng mL^-1 after maximum time (t_max) equal to 1.5 ± 0.15 h. The presented strategy also applied to ensure concentration of drug in each tablet using content uniformity test with high percent of recovery 100.05 ± 0.66. The proposed method was established for clinical laboratories and therapeutic drug monitoring studies.

Eco-friendly analytical methods for the determination of compounds with disparate spectral overlapping: application to antiviral formulation of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir

Green analytical chemistry is one of the newest trends in analytical chemistry nowadays targeting the concept of green laboratory practices on chemists and environment. In this text, green practices are proposed in this work for the determination of sofosbuvir (SF) and velpatasvir (VP) in their pharmaceutical formulation. The analysis of SF in a binary mixture with VP represents an analytical challenge due to the complete overlapping of the UV spectrum of SF by that of VP. Therefore, the direct absorbance and derivative measurements cannot resolve such interference and failed to determine SF. In this paper, three direct and simple methods were developed for the analysis of SF without any interference from VP without sample pre-treatment. The proposed methods include measuring the second derivative amplitude of the ratio spectrum of the mixture using VP as a divisor, measuring the absorbance difference of the mixture in NaOH solution against its HCl solution, and using the derivative compensation technique. On the other hand, VP was determined specifically in presence of SF by two methods. Firstly, by its reaction with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD-Cl) where the reaction product was measured spectrophotometrically and spectrofluorometrically and secondly through the reaction of VP with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH). The calibration curves showed good correlation coefficient (r2 > 0.999). The developed methods were highly precise with RSD% values less than 2%. The method greenness profile was compared with other published methods by applying the eco-scale protocol. Assessment results proved that our analytical procedure is greener than other reported methods. Moreover, upon comparison with other methods, the proposed methods showed better or comparable sensitivity in addition to being inexpensive and ecofriendly. Accordingly, these methods could be readily applied for quality control purposes as an eco-friendly, simple and efficient analytical tool.

New spectrofluorimetric analysis of empagliflozin in its tablets and human plasma using two level full factorial design

An efficient, accurate and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed for analysis of empagliflozin (EGF) in pure form, dosage form and human plasma. The proposed procedure was based on formation of yellow fluorescent product between benzofurazan reagent and empagliflozin in slightly alkaline medium that is measured at 521 nm, when excitation at 455 nm. The present study was validated according to ICH guidelines and bioanalytical validated according to US-FDA guidance. The fluorescence intensity-concentration plot was linear over the range of 50-1000 ng ml^-1 with limit of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of 15.55 and 46.63 ng ml^-1, respectively. The correlation (r) and determination (r²) coefficient was 0.9998 and 0.9997, respectively. Due to high sensitivity and selectivity of the proposed method, it is successfully used for analysis of empagliflozin in its dosage form and human plasma with good recoveries of 98.89% and 98.70%, respectively, without any interfering from matrix components. The corresponding regression equation, Y = 0.756X + 141.93, (r² = 0.9994) for spiked plasma sample. Two level full factorial designs were used to study different experimental parameters that affect the reaction product and to get the optimum method conditions. The suggested method can be used in quality control lab as well as in pharmacokinetic studies of empagliflozin.

Development of sensitive benzofurazan-based spectrometric methods for analysis of spectinomycin in vials and human biological samples

Spectinomycin hydrochloride (SPEC) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that has a broad spectrum against several bacterial strains of humans and veterinary infections. However, SPEC lacks a fluorophore or chromophore and this lack makes its analysis a challenge. Our study provides a simple, sensitive and low-cost spectrofluorimetric/spectrophotometric method based on the reaction between secondary amine groups and a benzofurazan reagent using borate buffer (pH 9.2). The yielding compound was measured fluorimetrically at 530 nm (excitation at 460 nm) with colorimetry at 410 nm. The calibration curves ranged from 30 to 400 ng ml^-1 and from 0.2 to 6 μg ml^-1 for spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric analyses, respectively. The limits of detection were calculated to be 4.15 ng ml^-1 and 0.05 μg ml^-1 for spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric processes, respectively. The ultra-affectability and high selectivity of the proposed method permitted analysis of SPEC in the dosage form and in human plasma samples, with good recoveries of about 101.19 and 97.11%, respectively, without any matrix interference. The proposed strategy was validated using International Conference on Harmonization standards and validated bioanalytically using USFDA recommendations.

Utilization of 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) for spectrochemical determination of l-ornithine: a multivariate optimization-assisted approach

A simple and highly sensitive univariate calibration strategy based on ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and assisted by multivariate screening and optimization was utilized for the determination of l-ornithine (l-ORN) as such and in the alimentary supplements. l-ORN, an OTC marketed amino acid, is widely used for bodybuilding and might be abused by athletes. A nucleophilic substitution reaction using 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) was the basis of the current investigation. Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and a response surface optimizer as screening and fine-tuning strategies, respectively, were instigated. Four numerical variables, reaction time (RT), temperature (Temp), pH and reagent volume (RV), and one categorical variable, the diluting solvent (DS), were considered. Absorbance of the yellow-colored adduct at 469 nm was the response studied. Pareto analysis, along with analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to ascertain the significant variables (screening phase) and their domains (optimization phase). Response transformation and stepwise analysis were employed when necessary. Probability, cube and individual value plots were used to get an insight into the statistical impact of the variables tested. Multiple responses' optimization was performed using Derringer's function. Calibration curves were linear in the range of 5-50 μg mL-1. Job's technique of continuous variation showed that the stoichiometric ratio is 2 : 1 (NBD-Cl : l-ORN). The proposed technique was successfully applied to the dietary supplements of l-ORN, inferring no interference from adjuvants and excipients. Analytical performance of this technique was validated conforming to the ICH standards.

Utility of Europium ion characteristic peak for quantitation of Fenoterol hydrobromide and Salmeterol xinafoate in different matrices; application to stability studies

A simple selective luminescent dependent approach was established for quantitation of two selective β₂ agonists namely; Fenoterol hydrobromide (FEN) and Salmeterol xinafoate (SAL). This approach utilizes the capability of the cited drugs to undergo a complexation reaction with Europium ion (Eu³⁺) in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline as a co-ligand. The resultant complex leads to a hypersensitive transition and enhancement of the Eu³⁺ emission peak at 615nm (279nm excitation). Under the optimized conditions, the rectilinear concentration plots of both drugs were (70-1500ngmL^-1) and (100-2000ngmL^-1) with limit of quantitation 51.3 and 84.4ngmL^-1 for FEN and SAL, respectively. The luminescence properties of the complex and its optimum formation conditions were carefully investigated according to the regulations of ICH and the method was successfully applied in plasma. The good accuracy and selectivity of the suggested method allowed extending the proposed protocol into stability study of the cited drugs.

Utility of the fluorogenic characters of benzofurazan for analysis of tigecycline using spectrometric technique; application to pharmacokinetic study, urine and pharmaceutical formulations

Tigecycline (TIGE) is the newest tetracycline derivative antibiotic with low toxicity, it is used for management of infectious diseases caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Hence, an efficient, selective and sensitive method was developed for analysis of TIGE in commercial formulations, human plasma and urine. The spectrofluorimetric technique based on the reaction of secondary amine moiety in TIGE with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD-Cl) in slightly alkaline medium producing a highly fluorescent product measured at 540 nm (λ_ex at 470 nm) after heating for 15 min at 75°C. The proposed strategy was upgraded and approved by ICH rules and bio-analytical validated using US-FDA recommendations. A linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and TIGE concentration was observed over the concentration range 40-500 ng mL^-1 with limit of quantification (LOQ) 21.09 ng mL^-1 and limit of detection (LOD) 6.96 ng mL^-1 .The ultra-affectability and high selectivity of the proposed strategy permits analysis of TIGE in dosage form, human plasma and urine samples with good recovery ranged from 97.23% to 98.72% and from 99.36% to 99.80% respectively, without any interfering from matrix components. Also, the developed strategy was used to examine the stability of TIGE in human plasma and applied for pharmacokinetic investigation of TIGE.

Analysis of quetiapine in human plasma using fluorescence spectroscopy

A simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method has been development for the assurance of quetiapine fumarate (QTF). The proposed method was utilized for measuring the fluorescence intensity of the yellow fluorescent product at 510nm (λ_ex 470nm). The fluorescent product has resulted from the nucleophilic substitution reaction of QTF with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazane (NBD-Cl) in Mcllvaine buffer (pH7.0). The diverse variables influencing the development of the reaction product were deliberately changed and optimized. The linear concentration range of the proposed method was of 0.2-2.0μgml^-1.The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.05 and 0.17μgml^-1, respectively. The proposed method was applied for the assurance of QTF in its tablets without interference from basic excipients. In addition, the proposed method was used for in vitro analysis of the QTF in spiked human plasma, the percent mean recovery was (n=3) 98.82±1.484%.

Utility of Von Pechman synthesis of coumarin reaction for development of spectrofluorimetric method for quantitation of salmeterol xinafoate in pharmaceutical preparations and human plasma

Simple, precise and selective spectrofluorimetric technique was evolved for quantitation of selective β₂ agonist drug namely salmeterol xinafoate (SAL). Utilizing its phenolic nature, a method was described based on the reaction of the studied drug with ethyl acetoacetate (EAA) to yield extremely fluorescent coumarin product which can be detected at 480 nm (λ_ex  = 420 nm). The procedure obeys Beer's law with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.9999 in the concentration range between 500 and 5000 ng ml^-1 with and 177 ng ml^-1 for limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ), respectively. Diverse reaction variables influencing the firmness and formation of the coumarin product were accurately examined and modified to ensure greatest sensitivity of the procedure. The proposed technique was performed and examined according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for bio-analytical methods and was efficiently applied for quantitation of SAL in both pharmaceutical preparations (% recovery = 100.06 ± 1.07) and spiked human plasma (% recovery = 96.64-97.14 ± 1.01-1.52).