Simple and Accurate HPTLC-Densitometric Method for Assay of Nandrolone Decanoate in Pharmaceutical Formulation

This study reports the development and validation of a new, simple, and accurate high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-densitomeric method for the determination of nandrolone decanoate in a commercially available injection formulation. Chromatographic analysis was performed on glass CN modified silica gel 60F₂₅₄ plates developed using n-hexane-ethyl acetate in volume ratio 42.5:7.5 as the mobile phase. Densitometric scanning was carried out at the wavelength of 245 nm. This chromatographic system gave compact spot and a symmetrical peak of nandrolone decanoate with retardation factor (R_F) value at 0.57 (±0.02). The linearity of this method with the high correlation coefficient of calibration plot ranges from 0.780 to 12.500 μg/spot. The developed method is characterized by good precision (coefficient of variation CV < 2%) and high accuracy close to 100.3% (R = 99.0%). Values of limits of detection and quantification equal to 0.231 and 0.700 μg/spot, respectively, confirm the sensitivity of the developed method. The analysis of the pharmaceutical formulation of nandrolone decanoate indicates drug content of 50.5 mg/mL and 101.0% in relation to the label claim. This is in good agreement with the recommendation of the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines as well as the pharmacopoeial requirements. The low CV value (<1%) of nandrolone decanoate content in the tested injection formulation confirms the suitability of the proposed HPTLC-densitometric method for routine control of this compound in examined pharmaceuticals.

Lipid analysis by thin-layer chromatography--a review of the current state

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) is a widely used, fast and relatively inexpensive method of separating complex mixtures. It is particularly useful for smaller, apolar compounds and offers some advantages over HPLC. This review gives an overview about the special features as well as the problems that have to be considered upon the HPTLC analysis of lipids. The term "lipids" is used here in a broad sense and comprises fatty acids and their derivatives as well as substances related biosynthetically or functionally to these compounds. After a short introduction regarding the stationary phases and the methods how lipids can be visualized on an HPTLC plate, the individual lipid classes will be discussed and the most suitable solvent systems for their separation indicated. The focus will be on lipids that are most abundant in biological systems, i.e. cholesterol and its derivates, glycerides, sphingo- and glycolipids as well as phospholipids. Finally, a nowadays very important topic, the combination between HPTLC and mass spectrometric (MS) detection methods will be discussed. It will be shown that this is a very powerful method to investigate the identities of the HPTLC spots in more detail than by the use of common staining methods. Future aspects of HPTLC in the lipid field will be also discussed.