Screening for the detection of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, their metabolites, and AT II receptor antagonists

All-solid-state paper-based potentiometric combined sensor modified with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and molecularly imprinted polymer for monitoring losartan drug in pharmaceuticals and biological samples

A cost-effective, highly selective and sensitive paper-based potentiometric combined sensor for losartan potassium drug (LOS) is fabricated, characterized and used for the drug monitoring. The sensor consists of 2 strips of filter paper (20 × 5 mm each) as platform, each imprinted with 4 mm diameter circular spot of carbon. One carbon spot is covered by a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for use as a substrate for the recognition sensor and the other without rGO is used for the reference electrode. LOS molecularly imprinted drug polymer (MIP) is applied onto the graphene oxide containing strip to act as a drug recognition sensing material and a solid-state polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is applied onto the second carbon spot to act as a reference electrode. Performance characteristics of the combined sensor are examined with chronopotentiometry (CP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Increase effect of rGO on the interfacial double-layer capacitance of the sensing membrane and consequently on the potential stability is confirmed. The developed combined sensor (strip cell) displays a Nernstian slope of -58.2 ± 0.3 mV/decade (R² = 0.9994) over the linear range 8.5 × 10^-7 - 6.9 × 10^-2 M with a detection limit of 2.7 ± 0.3 × 10^-7 M. The sensor shows remarkable selectivity toward various related compounds especially those commonly used by the COVID-19 patients such as paracetamol, ascorbic acid and dextromethorphan. The assay method is validated and proved to be satisfactory for direct potentiometric determination of LOS-K in some pharmaceutical formulations and in spiked human urine samples. An average recovery of 96.3 ± 0.3-98.7 ± 0.6% of the nominal or spiked concentration and a mean relative standard deviation of ±0.6% are obtained. The use of an indicating and a reference electrodes combined into a single flexible disposable paper platform enables applications to a minimum sample volume due to the close proximity of the responsive membrane and the liquid junction. The efficiency of the proposed sensor in complex urine matrix suggests its application in hospitals for rapid diagnosis of overdose patients and for quality control/quality assurance tests in pharmaceutical industry.

Chemometric Methods for Simultaneous Determination of Candesartan Cilexetil and Hydrochlorothiazide in Binary Combinations

Simple, accurate, precise, and cost-effective chemometric techniques for the measurement of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide in synthetic mixtures were improved and validated. H-point standard addition, Q-absorption ratio, and correction absorbance spectrophotometric techniques were utilized for the simultaneous determination of both medicines in real pharmaceutical formulations. A new calibration approach was implemented based on chemical H-point standards. This approach was developed to resolve significantly overlapping spectra of two analytes and provide direct correction of both proportional and constant errors caused by the matrix of the sample. The first method of simultaneous determination of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide was carried out using the H-point standard addition method at wavelengths 239 and 283. For the ratio of the absorption at two selected wavelengths, one of which is the isoabsorptive point and the other being the maximum of one of the two components, the second method absorption ratio method was utilized. In distilled water, the isoabsorptive point of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide occurs at 258 nm. λ _max of hydrochlorothiazide is 273 nm, which is the second wavelength used. Lastly, the absorbance correction method was implemented. This approach is based on absorbance correction equations and uses distilled water as the solvent for the examination of both medicines. In NaOH/EtOH solvent, the absorbance maxima of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide are 250 nm and 340 nm, respectively. For both wavelengths, candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide exhibited linearity over a concentration range of 1-46 μg/ml and 1-44 μg/ml, respectively, for H-point standard addition. The Q-absorption ratio approach provides linearity over the concentration ranges of 1-46 μg/ml at 273 nm for candesartan cilexetil and 1-29 μg/ml for hydrochlorothiazide, 1-46 μg/ml at 258 nm for candesartan cilexetil, and 1-44 μg/ml for hydrochlorothiazide. For hydrochlorothiazide, the linearity for the correction absorbance method was obtained throughout a concentration range of 1-46 μg/ml at wavelengths 250 and 340 nm and 1-44 μg/ml at wavelength 250 nm. The results of the analysis have been statistically and empirically supported by recovery studies. All methods yielded recoveries in the range of 96 -102% for both medications. The LOD ranged from 0.46 -0.94 μg/mL for hydrochlorothiazide and from 1.26 -2.40 μg/mL for candesartan cilexetil. The approaches were then used to quantify candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical tablets.

Integrated Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) Approach for the Development and Validation of Bioanalytical Liquid Chromatography Method for Estimation of Valsartan

The present studies describe the systematic development and validation of a simple, rapid, sensitive and cost-effective reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic bioanalytical method for the estimation of valsartan in rat plasma employing analytical quality by design (AQbD) principles quality risk management was applied for identifying the critical method parameters (CMPs) and subsequently method optimization was performed employing Box–Behnken design by selecting mobile phase pH, flow rate and % organic modifier as the CMPs and evaluated for critical analytical attributes (CAAs) such as peak area, retention time, peak tailing and number of theoretical plates. The developed method was then transferred to bioanalysis, where liquid–liquid extraction process was used for separating the drug from rat plasma. The optimization of extraction process was performed with the help of face-centered cubic design by selecting centrifugation speed and centrifugation time as the CMPs for maximizing % recovery, signal-to-noise ratio and purity threshold of the drug peak after extraction as the CAAs. Optimum chromatographic solution was chosen by mathematical and graphical search techniques, and design space was demarcated. Validation studies performed for the developed method indicated linearity ranging between 5 and 100 ng.mL−1, whereas accuracy and precision study showed good percent recovery (99–102%) along with % relative standard deviation within ±2%. Sensitivity evaluation revealed limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 0.76 ng.mL−1 and 2.29 ng.mL−1, respectively. In a nutshell, the present work demonstrates significant merits of AQbD approach for holistic process understanding and analytical method development and validation with enhanced robustness and performance.

Valsartan

Valsartan is an antihypertensive drug which selectively inhibits angiotensin receptor type II. Generally, valsartan is available as film-coated tablets. This review summarizes thermal analysis, spectroscopy characteristics (UV, IR, MS, and NMR), polymorphism forms, impurities, and related compounds of valsartan. The methods of analysis of valsartan in pharmaceutical dosage forms and in biological fluids using spectrophotometer, CE, TLC, and HPLC methods are discussed in details. Both official and nonofficial methods are described. It is recommended to use LC-MS method for analyzing valsartan in complex matrices such as biological fluids and herbal preparations; in this case, MRM is preferred than SIM method.

Development and validation of UPLC tandem mass spectrometry assay for separation of a phase II metabolite of ramipril using actual study samples and its application to a bioequivalence study

In this paper, we present a validated UPLC-MS/MS assay for determination of ramipril and ramiprilat from human plasma samples. The assay is capable of isolating phase II metabolites (acylglucornides) of ramipril from in vivo study samples which is otherwise not possible using conventional HPLC conditions. Both analytes were extracted from human plasma using solid-phase extraction technique. Chromatographic separation of analytes and their respective internal standards was carried out using an Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) (2.1 × 100 mm), 1.7 µm column followed by mass spectrometric detection using an Waters Quattro Premier XE. The method was validated over the range 0.35-70.0 ng/mL for ramipril and 1.0-40.0 ng/mL for ramiprilat.

Dynamic NMR study and theoretical calculations on the conformational exchange of valsartan and related compounds

Valsartan (1), an antihypertensive drug of the sartan family, and three related compounds, 3-methyl-2-((2'-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-ylmethyl) pentanoylamino)butyric acid (2), 3-isopropyl-6-propyl-4-(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-ylmethyl) morpholine-2,5-dione (3), and 3-isopropyl-6-propyl-4-(4'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl4-ylmethyl) morpholine-2,5-dione (4), were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Assignment of (1)H and (13)C NMR resonances for the compounds were completed using COSY, HSQC and HMBC techniques. It was found that each of the compounds 1, 2, and 4 had two sets of (1)H and (13)C resonances, suggesting the presence of two conformers in solution. Based on NOESY experiments at different temperatures, thermodynamic parameters of the conformational exchange process were deduced for these compounds. The exchange barrier was found to be 17.9 +/- 0.7, 18.5 +/- 0.8, and 17.7 +/- 0.6 kcal mol(-1) with the corresponding free energy difference (DeltaG) of 0.32 +/- 0.04, 0.23 +/- 0.01, and 0.13 +/- 0.04 kcal mol(-1) for 1, 2, and 4, respectively, at 298 K. Two conformations of valsartan were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculation. The results showed that two conformers of valsartan interchange via rotation about the C(O)--N bond.

Biovalidation of an SPE-HPLC-UV-fluorescence method for the determination of Valsartan and its metabolite valeryl-4-hydroxy-valsartan in human plasma

A simple and fast method for the simultaneous determination of the antihypertensive drug Valsartan and its metabolite in human plasma has been validated. The proposed method deals with SPE, followed by an HPLC separation coupled with fluorimetric and photometric detection. The optimization of the SPE-HPLC method was achieved by an experimental design. The separation was performed on an RP C18 Atlantis 100 mmx3.9 mm column. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of ACN 0.025% TFA and phosphate buffer (5 mM, pH = 2.5) 0.025% TFA and was delivered in gradient mode at a flow rate of 1.30 mL/min. The eluent was monitored with a fluorescence detector at 234 and 378 nm excitation and emission wavelengths, respectively, and at 254 nm using a photometric detector. The full analytical validation was performed according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 'guidance for industry: bioanalytical method validation' and the recoveries obtained for Valsartan and its metabolite ranged from 94.6 to 108.8%. The validated method was successfully applied to 12 plasma samples obtained from patients under antihypertensive treatment with Valsartan.

An overview of chromatographic methods coupled with mass spectrometric detection for determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in biological material

Gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, LC-MS) methods for the determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and their metabolites in biological material have been reviewed. Since 1980s those hyphenated techniques have been applied to quantitate ACE inhibitors and the dynamic increase in the number of relevant publications can be observed in recent years. Although most of the methods available in the literature were analyses of plasma or serum, assays of blood and urine were also included. Additionally, sample pretreatment methods, separation conditions and ionization modes were overviewed. Some information on chemical structures, cis-trans izomerization and stability of compounds in question was also included. Most of the reported methods were successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies in humans.

Enzymes and pharmacogenetics of cardiovascular drugs

To select the best drug for a patient, physicians can use pharmacogenomics to optimize the effective drug and to minimize adverse reactions. Many enzymes are involved in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic sources of cardiovascular drugs. Taking the antihypertensive drugs as an example, the variability in blood pressure response is very high in different individuals, some of them having an increase in blood pressure. The most important proteins involved in the patient response to a drug are cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6, CYP2C19, CYP3A4 and the ABCB1 transporter. These enzymes, at the origin of important side effects or drug interactions, are responsible, at a great extent, of the cardiovascular drug response variability. Genotyping of the most important CYP today is easy while no reliable tool has been developed for the ABC transporters ATPase dependent and linked to the other phase I and phase II enzymes. The second relevant group of enzymes are involved in pharmacodynamic action of cardiovascular drugs: enzymes of the renin-angiotensin system and enzymes of the lipid metabolism. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is the most studied target with a relevant insertion deletion polymorphism. Contradictory reported data could be explained by ethnic differences or patient sample size which are often too small.

Comparison of Urinary On-Site Immunoassay Screening and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Results of 111 Patients With Suspected Poisoning Presenting at an Emergency Department

On-site tests based on immunoassay techniques are widely used for toxicologic screening analysis in patients with suspected poisoning. However, such assays usually have been validated using urine samples with known concentrations of the investigated substances. In the present investigation, on-site screening results were evaluated in a clinical setting. This was a retrospective study of patients with suspected poisoning from January to December 2003 in the emergency department of a tertiary urban hospital. Urine samples were analyzed using the Triage 8 panel and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 111 patients were included (54 female, 57 male; average age 37.8 +/- 19.7 years). A total of 3.8% of the patients showed no symptoms, 45.2% minor, 24.0% moderate, and 26.9% serious symptoms. In 50 patients (45.0%), Triage 8 results corresponded well with GC-MS results. In 17 patients (15.3%), the Triage 8 results were confirmed by GC-MS, but additional substances were determined that could not be detected by the Triage 8 panel. A completely negative Triage 8 screening result was obtained in 23 patients (20.7%) who showed toxicologically relevant findings in GC-MS. In 21 patients (18.9%), Triage 8 results could not be confirmed by GC-MS. The analysis of the results in view of the patients' medical histories revealed that in 20 patients (18.0%), no relevant toxic substance could be detected. Additionally, 8 patients (7.2%) showed intoxication with alcohol, which could not be detected by the presently applied toxicologic screening investigations. On-site screening results in suspected poisoning were not very helpful in the present study because practically every second patient ingested substances that were not detectable by the Triage 8 device. In addition, every fifth result was not in line with GC-MS findings. On-site test findings should be interpreted very carefully, and in critical cases, a GC-MS screening should be performed.

Optimizationvia experimental design of an SPE-HPLC-UV-fluorescence method for the determination of valsartan and its metabolite in human plasma samples

A chemometric approach was applied for the optimization of the extraction and separation of the antihypertensive drug valsartan and its metabolite valeryl-4-hydroxy-valsartan from human plasma samples. Due to the high number of experimental and response variables to be studied, fractional factorial design (FFD) and central composite design (CCD) were used to optimize the HPLC-UV-fluorescence method. First, the significant variables were chosen with the help of FFD; then, a CCD was run to obtain the optimal values for the significant variables. The measured responses were the corrected areas of the two analytes and the resolution between the chromatographic peaks. Separation of valsartan, its metabolite valeryl-4-hydroxy-valsartan and candesartan M1, used as internal standard, was made using an Atlantis dC18 100 mm x 3.9 mm id, 100 angstroms, 3 microm chromatographic column. The mobile phase was run in gradient elution mode and consisted of ACN with 0.025% TFA and a 5 mM phosphate buffer with 0.025% TFA at pH 2.5. The initial percentage of ACN was 32% with a stepness of 4.5%/min to reach the 50%. A flow rate of 1.30 mL/min was applied throughout the chromatographic run, and the column temperature was kept to 40+/-0.2 degrees C. In the SPE procedure, experimental design was also used in order at achieve a maximum recovery percentage and extracts free from plasma interferences. The extraction procedure for spiked human plasma samples was carried out using C8 cartridges, phosphate buffer (pH 2, 60 mM) as conditioning agent, a washing step with methanol-phosphate buffer (40:60 v/v), a drying step of 8 min, and diethyl ether as eluent. The SPE-HPLC-UV-fluorescence method developed allowed the separation and quantitation of valsartan and its metabolite from human plasma samples with an adequate resolution and a total analysis time of 1 h.

Interference from a glucuronide metabolite in the determination of ramipril and ramiprilat in human plasma and urine by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

In the course of development and validation of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for ramipril and its biologically active metabolite ramiprilat, evidence was found for an unknown interfering metabolite. Sample treatment included isolation from plasma or urine by solid-phase extraction, methylation with trimethylsilyldiazomethane and acylation with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA). When liquid chromatography was used to fractionate plasma extracts prior to derivatization, the alkyl, acyl-derivative of ramipril was obtained from two separate LC fractions. Electrospray ionization mass spectral data, together with circumstances for the derivatization, were consistent with the presence of an N-glucuronide of ramipril. Interference from the metabolite was eliminated by including a wash step after extraction/alkylation, prior to acylation. The final assay had a lower limit of quantification at 1.0 nmol/L and a linear range of 1-300 nmol/L. Intra- and inter-batch precision for ramipril and ramiprilat in plasma or urine were better than 10 and 5% at 2 and 80 nmol/L, respectively.

Analysis of urinary biomarkers for exposure to alkyl benzenes by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A validated GC-MS method for the analysis of urinary metabolites of alkyl benzenes is reported. Metabolites for exposure to toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene were analyzed simultaneously using stable isotope substituted internal standards. The method entailed acidic deconjugation of urine samples followed by extractive alkylation with pentafluorobenzyl bromide as alkylating agent. The resulting pentafluorobenzyl derivatives of ortho-, meta-, para-cresol, mandelic acid (MA), hippuric acid (HA) and ortho-, meta-, para-methylhippuric acid (MHA) were then quantified by SIM. Optimized reaction conditions for the extractive alkylation step are reported. The derivatives were found to be sufficiently stable for overnight batch analysis. The LODs were below 0.1 micromol/L for the cresols and below 1 micromol/L for MA and the HAs. Within-batch precision for o-MHA was 7%, for m-MHA 5%, for p-MHA 5.2% and below 5% for the rest of the analytes.

Pharmacogenomics and cardiovascular drugs: need for integrated biological system with phenotypes and proteomic markers

Personalized medicine is based on a better knowledge of biological variability, considering the important part due to genetics. When trying to identify involved genes and their products in differential cardiovascular drug responses, a five-step strategy is to be followed: 1) Pharmacokinetic-related genes and phenotypes (2) Pharmacodynamic targets, genes and products (3) Cardiovascular diseases and risks depending on specific or large metabolic cycles (4) Physiological variations of previously identified genes and proteins (5) Environment influences on them. After summarizing the most well-known genes involved in drug metabolism, we will take as example of drugs, the statins, considered as very important drugs from a Public-Health standpoint, but also for economical reasons. These drugs respond differently in human depending on multiple polymorphisms. We will give examples with common ApoE polymorphisms influencing the hypolipemic effects of statins. These drugs also have pleiotropic effects and decrease inflammatory markers. This illustrates the need to separate clinical diseases phenotypes in specific metabolic pathways, which could propose other classifications, of diseases and related genes. Hypertension is also a good example of clinical phenotype which should be followed after various therapeutic approaches by genes polymorphisms and proteins markers. Gene products are under clear environmental expression variations such as age, body mass index and obesity, alcohol, tobacco and dietary interventions which are the first therapeutical actions taken in cardiovascular diseases. But at each of the five steps, within a pharmacoproteomic strategy, we also need to use available information from peptides, proteins and metabolites, which usually are the gene products. A profiling approach, i.e., dealing with genomics, but now also with proteomics, is to be used. In conclusion, the profiling, as well as the large amount of data, will more than before render necessary an organized interpretation of DNA, RNA as well as proteins variations, both at individual and population level.

High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of ramipril and its active metabolite ramiprilat in human serum: application to a pharmacokinetic study in the Chinese volunteers

This study presents a rapid, specific and sensitive LC-MS/MS assay for the determination of ramipril and ramiprilat in human serum using enalapril as an internal standard (IS). A Waters Atlantis C18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 3 microm) and a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid-methanol (25:75, v/v) were used for separation. The analysis was performed by the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) method, and the peak areas of the m/z 417.3-->234.3 and m/z 389.3-->206.2 transition for ramipril and ramiprilat, respectively, were measured versus that of the m/z 377.3-->234.2 for IS to generate the standard curves. The assay linearities of ramipril and ramiprilat were confirmed over the range 0.10-100 ngml(-1) and 0.25-100 ngml(-1), respectively, and limits of quantitation for them were 0.10 and 0.25 ngml(-1), respectively. The linear ranges correspond well with the serum concentrations of the analytes obtained in clinical pharmacokinetic studies. Intraday and interday relative standard deviations of ramipril and ramiprilat were 2.8-6.4% and 4.3-4.6%, 4.4-6.7% and 3.5-4.7%, respectively. The recoveries of ramipril and ramiprilat from serum were in the range of 81.0-98.2%. The developed LC-MS procedures were applied for the determination of the pharmacokinetic parameters of ramipril and ramiprilat following a single oral administration of 10mg ramipril tablets in 18 Chinese healthy male volunteers.

Screening Procedure for Detection of Diuretics and Uricosurics and/or Their Metabolites in Human Urine Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry After Extractive Methylation

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based screening procedure was developed for the detection of diuretics, uricosurics, and/or their metabolites in human urine after extractive methylation. Phase-transfer catalyst remaining in the organic phase was removed by solid-phase extraction on a diol phase. The compounds were separated by GC and identified by MS in the full-scan mode. The possible presence of the following drugs and/or their metabolites could be indicated using mass chromatography with the given ions: m/z 267, 352, 353, 355, 386, and 392 for thiazide diuretics bemetizide, bendroflumethiazide, butizide, chlorothiazide, cyclopenthiazide, cyclothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, metolazone, polythiazide, and for canrenoic acid and spironolactone; m/z 77, 81, 181, 261, 270, 295, 406, and 438 for loop diuretics bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, piretanide, torasemide, as well as the uricosurics benzbromarone, probenecid, and sulfinpyrazone; m/z 84, 85, 111, 112, 135, 161, 249, 253, 289, and 363 for the other diuretics acetazolamide, carzenide, chlorthalidone, clopamide, diclofenamide, etozoline, indapamide, mefruside, tienilic acid, and xipamide. The identity of positive signals in such mass chromatograms was confirmed by comparison of the peaks underlying full mass spectra with reference spectra. This method allowed the detection of the abovementioned drugs and/or their metabolites in human urine samples, except torasemide. The limits of detection ranged from 0.001 to 5 mg/L in the full-scan mode. Recoveries of selected diuretics and uricosurics, representing the different chemical classes, ranged from 46% to 99% with coefficients of variation of less than 21%. After ingestion of the lowest therapeutic doses, furosemide was detectable in urine samples for 67 hours, hydrochlorothiazide for 48 hours, and spironolactone for 52 hours (via its target analyte canrenone). The procedure described here is part of a systematic toxicological analysis procedure for acidic drugs and poisons.

Screening Procedure for Detection of Stimulant Laxatives and/or Their Metabolites in Human Urine Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry after Enzymatic Cleavage of Conjugates and Extractive Methylation

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based screening procedure was developed for the detection of stimulant laxatives and/or their metabolites in human urine after enzymatic cleavage of conjugates followed by extractive methylation. The part of the phase-transfer catalyst remaining in the organic phase was removed by solid-phase extraction on a diol phase. The compounds were separated by capillary GC and identified by computerized MS in the full scan mode. By use of mass chromatography with the ions m/z 305, 290, 335, 320, 365, 350, 311, 326, 271, and 346, the possible presence of stimulant laxatives and/or their metabolites could be indicated. The identity of positive signals in such mass chromatograms was confirmed by comparison of the peaks underlying full mass spectra with the reference spectra. This method allowed the detection of the diphenol laxatives bisacodyl, picosulfate, and phenolphthalein and of the anthraquinone laxatives contained in plant extracts and/or their metabolites in human urine samples. The overall recoveries of the stimulant laxatives and/or their metabolites ranged between 33% and 89% with a coefficient of variation of less than 15%, and the limits of detection ranged between 10 and 25 ng/mL (S/N 3) in the full scan mode. After ingestion of the lowest therapeutic dose of sodium picosulfate, its main metabolite, bisacodyl diphenol, was detectable in urine samples for 72 hours. After ingestion of the lowest therapeutic dose of a senna extract, the main metabolite of sennosides, rhein, was detectable in urine samples for 24 hours. This procedure is part of a systematic toxicological analysis procedure for acidic drugs and poisons with the modification of enzymatic cleavage of conjugates.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for determination of ramipril and its active metabolite ramiprilat in human plasma

A fast and robust liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method has been developed for simultaneous quantitation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, ramipril and its metabolite ramiprilat in human plasma. The method involves a solid-phase extraction from plasma, simple isocratic chromatography conditions and mass spectrometric detection that enables a detection limit at sub-nanogram levels. The proposed method has been validated with a linear range of 0.5-250 ng/ml for both ramipril and ramiprilat. The overall recoveries for ramipril and ramiprilat were 88.7 and 101.8%, respectively.

Fast screening method for the determination of angiotensin II receptor antagonists in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

A selective, accurate and precise high-performance liquid chromatographic assay coupled to fluorescence detection was developed for the detection of some angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA II): Losartan, Irbesartan, Valsartan, Candesartan cilexetil and its metabolite Candesartan MI. The analytes and the internal standard (bumetanide, a high-ceiling diuretic) were extracted from plasma under acidic conditions by means of solid-phase extraction using C8 cartridges. This procedure allowed recoveries close to 80% for all these drugs excluding Candesartan cilexetil (70%) which presented adsorption processes on glass and plastic walls. The analytes and potential interferences were separated on a reversed-phase column, muBondapak C18, at room temperature. A gradient elution mode was used to carry out the separation, the optimal mobile phase being composed of acetonitrile-5 mM acetate buffer, pH 4, at variable flow-rates (from 1.0 to 1.2 ml/min). Fluorescence detector was set at an excitation wavelength of 250 nm and an emission wavelength of 375 nm. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations for all the compounds were lower than 8% except for Losartan (12%) and the method assesses a quite good accuracy (percentage of relative error approximately 6% in most of the cases). The limit of quantitation for these compounds was 3 ng/ml for Candesartan cilexetil and M1, 16 ng/ml for Losartan and 50 ng/ml for Irbesartan and Valsartan, which allows their determination at expected plasma concentration levels. This assay method has been successfully applied to plasma samples obtained from hypertensive patients under clinical studies after oral administration of a therapeutic dose of some of these ARA II compounds.

Application of capillary zone electrophoresis to the screening of some angiotensin II receptor antagonists

A capillary zone electrophoretic (CZE) method was optimized for the separation of five angiotensin II receptor antagonists (Losartan, Irbesartan, Valsartan, Telmisartan and Eprosartan) and two of their metabolites (EXP 3174 and Candesartan M1) by means of experimental design methodologies. The aim of this study was to define rapidly experimental conditions under which the analytes can be resolved for quantitation. The effects of the buffer (pH, concentration and composition), the organic modifier and voltage were studied. Critical factors were identified in a screening design (fractional factorial design) and sequentially an optimization design (central composite design) was used to choose optimal conditions for separation. The most favorable electrophoretic conditions were found by setting the resolution at a threshold value (Rs < or = 1.5) and minimizing, if possible, analysis time. Successful results were obtained with a 50 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate:boric acid (25:75 v/v) buffer at pH 5.5 in the presence of 5% methanol and application of a 25 kV voltage. Analysis time was 8 min in a conventional fused-silica capillary (50 cm effective length) in a normal cationic mode (anode at the inlet and cathode at the outlet) after hydrostatical sample injection for 30 s.

Simultaneous determination of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets by first-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry and LC

First-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to determine valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide simultaneously in combined pharmaceutical dosage forms. The derivative procedure was based on the linear relationship between the drug concentration and the first derivative amplitudes at 270.6 and 335 nm for valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The calibration graphs were linear in the range of 12.0-36.1 microg x ml(-1) for valsartan and 4.0-12.1 microg x ml(-1) for hydrochlorothiazide. Furthermore, a high- performance liquid chromatographic procedure with ultraviolet detection at 225 nm was developed for a comparison method. For the HPLC procedure, a reversed phase column with a mobile phase of 0.02 M phosphate buffer (pH 3.2)-acetonitrile (55: 45; v/v), was used to separate for valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide. The plot of peak area ratio of each drug to the internal standard versus the respective concentrations of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide were found to be linear in the range of 0.06-1.8 and 0.07-0.5 microg x ml(-1), respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in laboratory-prepared mixtures and commercial tablets.

Capillary zone electrophoresis applied to the determination of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor cilazapril and its active metabolite in pharmaceuticals and urine

A capillary zone electrophoresis method has been developed for the quantitation of antihypertensive drug cilazapril and its active metabolite cilazaprilat in pharmaceuticals and urine. The separation of the compounds was performed in a fused-silica capillary filled with the running electrolyte, which consisted of a 60 mM borate buffer solution at pH 9.5. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the separation took less than 5 min. The analysis of urine samples required a previous solid-phase extraction step using C8 cartridges. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the drug and its metabolite in urine samples obtained from three hypertensive patients (detection limits of 115 ng ml(-1) for cilazaprilat and 125 ng ml(-1) for cilazapril) and to pharmaceutical dosage forms. The method was validated in terms of reproducibility, linearity and accuracy.

Determination of the antihypertensive drug cilazapril and its active metabolite cilazaprilat in pharmaceuticals and urine by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with photometric detection

A liquid chromatographic method with photometric detection for the determination of cilazapril and its active metabolite and degradation product cilazaprilat in urine and pharmaceuticals has been developed. The chromatographic method consisted of a microBondapak C18 column maintained at 30+/-0.2 degrees C, using a mixture of methanol-10 mM phosphoric acid (50:50 v/v) as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min. Enalapril maleate was used as internal standard. The detection was performed at a wavelength of 206 nm. A study of the retention of cilazapril and cilazaprilat using solid-liquid extraction has been carried out in order to optimise the clean-up procedure for urine samples, which consisted of a solid-liquid extraction using C(R) cartridges. Recoveries greater than 85% are obtained for both compounds. The method was sensitive, precise and accurate enough to be applied to the determination of urine samples obtained from three hypertensive patients up to 24 h after intake of a therapeutic dose (detection limit of 70 ng/ml for cilazapril and cilazaprilat in urine). A comparison of the method developed using photometric and amperometric detection has been carried out.

A stability-indicating LC method for the simultaneous determination of ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide in dosage forms

A simple, rapid and sensitive HPLC method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide in their dosage forms. Acetonitrile: sodium perchlorate solution (0.1 M) adjusted to pH 2.5+/-0.2 with phosphoric acid (46:54 v/v), was used as the mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. A supelcosil LC-8 column (5 microm), 15 cm x 4.6 mm i.d. was utilized as stationary phase. Detection was affected spectrophotometrically at 210 nm. Clobazam was used as an internal standard. The method was also applied for the determination of ramipril in the presence of its degradation products. Linearity ranges for ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide were 4.5-45 and 0.6-14 microg/ml, respectively. Minimum detection limits (S/N = 2) obtained were 180 and 23 ng/ml for ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The proposed method was further applied to the analysis of tablets containing the two drugs, the percentage recoveries +/- S.D. (n = 5) were 100.45%+/-0.63 and 99.55%+/-0.78 for ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively.

Simultaneous determination of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets by high-performance liquid chromatography

A method for the simultaneous determination of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets is described. The procedure, based on the use of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, is linear in the concentration range 3.0-7.0 microg ml(-1) for losartan and 0.5-2.0 microg ml(-1) for hydrochlorothiazide, is simple and rapid and allows accurate and precise results. The limit of detection was 0.08 microg ml(-1) for losartan and 0.05 microg ml(-1) for hydrochlorothiazide.

Spectrophotometric determination of benazepril in tablets

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of benazepril HCl in pharmaceutical formulations. The method is based on the reaction of the drug with potassium permanganate in the presence of sodium hydroxide to produce a bluish-green colored species measurable at 609.4 nm. The absorbance-concentration plot is linear over the range 1-8 microg ml(-1) with minimum detectability of 0.1 microg ml(-1) (2.17 x 10(-7) M). The molar absorptivity was 4.07 x 10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1) with correlation coefficient (n = 6) of 0.9991. The different experimental parameters affecting the development and stability of the color were studied carefully and optimized. The proposed method was applied successfully to the determination of benazepril in its dosage forms, the percentage recoveries +/- SD (n = 9) were 99.79 +/- 1.40 and 100.50 +/- 1.48 for tablets containing 10 and 20 mg, respectively. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained using a reference spectrophotometric method. The proposed method could be applied to the determination of benazepril in presence of the co-formulated drug, hydrochlorothiazide. A proposal of the reaction pathway was presented.

Systematic toxicological analysis procedures for acidic drugs and/or metabolites relevant to clinical and forensic toxicology and/or doping control

This paper reviews systematic toxicological analysis (STA) procedures for acidic drugs and/or metabolites relevant to clinical and forensic toxicology or doping control using gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. Papers from 1992 to 1998 have been taken into consideration. Screening procedures in biosamples (whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, vitreous humor, brain, liver or hair) of humans or animals (horse, or rat) are included for the following drug classes: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II (AT-II) blockers, anticoagulants of the 4-hydroxy coumarin type, barbiturates, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (calcium antagonists), diuretics, hypoglycemic sulfonylureas and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Methods for confirmation of preliminary results obtained by screening procedures using immunoassay or chromatographic techniques are also included. Furthermore, procedures for the simultaneous detection of several drug classes are reviewed. The toxicological question to be answered and the consequences for the choice of an adequate method, the sample preparation and the chromatography itself are discussed. The basic information about the biosample assayed, work-up, separation column, mobile phase or separation buffer, detection mode and validation data of each procedure is summarized in 16 tables. They are arranged according to the drug class and the analytical method. Examples of typical applications are presented. Finally, STA procedures are reviewed and described allowing simultaneous screening for different (acidic) drug classes.