Use of mixed anhydrides for the determination of terfenadine in dosage forms and spiked human plasma

Terfenadine reacts with mixed anhydrides (malonic and acetic anhydrides) producing a yellow-coloured product with intense fluorescence. Based on this fact, a spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of terfenadine in dosage forms. The relation between the absorbance at 395 nm and the concentration is rectilinear over the range 0.5-5 microg ml(-1) (molar absorptivity is 1.405 x 10(5) l mol(-1) cm (-1)). The reaction product was also measured spectrofluorimetrically at 435 nm after excitation at 395 nm. The fluorescence intensity was directly proportional to the concentration over the range 0.5-4 ng ml(-1) with minimum detectability (S/N = 2) of 0.07 microg ml(-1) (approximately 1.5 x 10(-10) M). The different parameters affecting the development and stability of the reaction product were carefully studied and incorporated into the procedure. The proposed spectrophotometric method was successfully applied to the determination of terfenadine in tablets and suspensions; the percentage recoveries were 99.83 +/- 0.75 and 99.65 +/- 0.83, respectively. The proposed spectrofluorimetric method was applied to the determination of terfenadine in spiked human plasma. The percentage recovery was 99.35 +/- 2.19. The method is highly sensitive and specific. No interference was noticed from co-formulated drugs, such as pseudoephedrine and ibuprofen.     

Spectrofluorometric determination of nimodipine in dosage forms and human urine

A simple sensitive and specific spectrofluorometric method was developed for the determination of nimodipine (NDP) in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine. The method is based on reduction of nimodipine with Zn/HCl and measuring the obtained fluorescence at 425 nm after excitation at 360 nm. The factors affecting the development of the fluorophore and its stability were studied and optimized. The effect of some surfactants such as beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD), carboxymethylcelullose (CMC), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and Triton X-100, on the fluorescence intensity was studied. The fluorescence intensity-concentration plot is rectilinear over the range 0.1-5.0 microg/ml in presence of Triton X-100 with a minimum detectability limit of 0.06 microg/ml (1.62 x 10(-7) M). The proposed method was successfully applied to commercial tablets containing NDP, the percentage recovery agreed well with those obtained using the official methods. The method was further extended to the in vitro determination of NDP in spiked human urine samples. The % recovery was 102.1 +/- 2.54 (n = 4). A proposal of the reduction reaction pathway was postulated.     

Spectrofluorometric determination of some beta-blockers in tablets and human plasma using 9,10-dimethoxyanthracene-2-sodium sulfonate

A simple and sensitive spectrofluorometric method was developed for the quantitative determination of some beta-blockers, namely arotinolol, atenolol and labetalol as hydrochloride salts. The method is based on the reaction of these drugs as n-electron donors with the fluorogenic reagent 9,10-dimethoxy-2-anthracene sulfonate (DMAS) as pi-acceptor in acidic medium. The obtained ion-pairs were extracted into chloroform and measured spectrofluorometrically at 452 nm after excitation at 385 nm. The fluorescence intensity-concentration plots are rectilinear over the ranges of 0.5-5 microg x ml(1), 1.0-11.0 microg x ml(1) and 0.6-6.4 microg x ml(1) for labetalol, atenolol and arotinolol, respectively. The different parameters affecting the reaction pathway were thoroughly studied and optimized. No interference was observed from the common pharmaceutical excipients. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of tablets and the results were statistically compared with those obtained by reference methods. The method was further extended to the in vitro determination of the drugs in spiked human plasma, the % recoveries (n = 3) ranged from 96.98 +/- 1.55 to 98.28 +/- 2.19. A proposal of the reaction pathway was postulated.     

Analysis of some antifungal drugs by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods in different pharmaceutical dosage forms

Simple spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods are suggested for the determination of antifungal drugs; clotrimazole, econazole nitrate, ketoconazole, miconazole and tolnaftate. Spectrophotometric one depends on the interaction between imidazole antifungal drugs as n-electron donor with the pi acceptor 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) in methanol or with p-chloranilic acid (p-CA) in acetonitrile. The produced chromogens obey Beer's law at lambda(max) 460, and 520 nm in the concentration range 22.5-200 and 7.9-280 microg ml(-1) for DDQ, and p-CA, respectively. Spectrofluorimetric method is based on the measurement of the native fluorescence of ketoconazole at 375 nm with excitation at 288 nm and or the induced fluorescence after alkaline hydrolysis of tolnaftate with 5 M NaOH solution at 420 nm with excitation at 344 nm. Fluorescence intensity versus concentration is linear for ketoconazole at 49.7-800 ng ml(-1) while for tolnaftate, it is in the range of 20.4-400 ng ml(-1). The proposed methods were applied successfully for the determination of all the studied drugs in their pharmaceutical formulations.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of manzamine A in spiked human urine and plasma

The native fluorescence of manzamine A (a biologically active beta-carboline marine-derived alkaloid) has been studied under different conditions. The highest fluorescence intensity was obtained in methanol. Two wavelength settings were found to be suitable for excitation, 280 nm and 340 nm; while lambdamax emission was constant in both cases at 387 nm. The fluorescence intensity at 340/387 nm setting was 1.6 greater than that obtained at 280/387 nm settings. The calibration curves were rectilinear over the range 0.1-2.0 and 0.5-2.5 microg/ml for the two settings, respectively. The detection limits were 0.05 microg/ml (9.1 x 10(-9) M) and 0.1 microg/ml (1.82 x 10(-8) M) at 340/387 nm and 280/387 nm, respectively. The proposed method was applied to the determination of manzamine A in spiked human urine and plasma samples adopting the 340/387 nm wavelength setting, the % recoveries (n = 6) were 99.61 +/- 0.90 and 100.25 +/- 1.63, respectively.     

Use of 7-fluoro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxo-1,3-diazole (NBD-F) for the determination of ramipril in tablets and spiked human plasma.

Ramipril, as a secondary amine compound, reacts with 7-fluoro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxo-1,3-diazole (NBD-F) producing the corresponding fluorescent NBD-ramipril. According to this fact, spectrophotometric and fluorimetric methods for the determination of ramipril were developed. The effect of these parameters on the reaction product were carefully studied to optimize reaction conditions. The relationship between the absorbance at 465 nm and the concentration was found to be linear over the range 1-10 microg/ml. Moreover, the fluorescence intensity was also found to be directly proportional at the concentration over the range of 20-100 ng/ml at 530 nm after excitation at 465 nm. The proposed procedure was successfully applied to the determination of ramipril in both tablet dosage form and in plasma. Spectrophotometric determination of ramipril tablets yielded a percentage recovery of 98.66+/-0.38, while the percentage recovery of spectrofluorimetric determination of ramipril in spiked human plasma was 99.08+/-1.11%. The results obtained are in good agreement with those obtained by the reference method. No interference could be observed from the co-administered drug (hydrochlorothiazines).     

Determination of theophylline and ephedrine HCL in tablets by ratio-spectra derivative spectrophotometry and LC

Two methods are described for the determination of theophylline (THP) and ephedrine hydrochloride (EPH) in combined pharmaceutical tablet forms. The first method depends on the use of the first derivative of the ratio-spectra obtained by dividing the absorption spectrum of binary mixtures by a standard spectrum of one of the compounds. The first derivative amplitudes at 231.8 and 250.3 nm were selected for the assay of THP and EPH, respectively. Calibration graphs were established for 20-180 microg ml(-1) for THP and 10-50 microg ml(-1) for EPH. The second method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase column using a mobile phase of methanol-water (40+60,v/v) (pH 3) with detection at 217 nm. Linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 5-150 microg ml(-1) for THP and 15-75 microg ml(-1) for EPH. The detection limits for THP and EPH were 0.73 and 0.92 microg ml(-1) by ratio-spectra derivative spectrophotometry and 0.59 and 0.86 microg ml(-1) by HPLC, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in laboratory-prepared mixtures and in tablets. The relative standard deviations were found to be less than 1.5%, indicating reasonable repeatibility of both methods.     

Simultaneous determination of moexipril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets by derivative spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatographic methods

Two new simple and selective assay methods have been presented for the binary mixtures of moexipril hydrochloride (MOEX) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in pharmaceutical formulations. The first method depends on second-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry with zero-crossing measurements at 215 and 234 nm for MOEX and HCTZ, respectively. The assay was linear over the concentration ranges 1.0-11.0 microg ml(-1) for MOEX and 0.5-9.0 microg ml(-1) for HCTZ. The determination limits for MOEX and HCTZ were found to be 1.0 and 0.5 microg ml(-1), respectively; while the detection limits were 0.2 microg ml(-1) for MOEX and 0.1 microg ml(-1) for HCTZ. The second method was based on isocratic reversed-phase liquid chromatography by using a mobile phase acetonitrile-20 mM phosphate buffer (pH 4.0) (50:50, v/v). Lisinopril was used as an internal standard (IS) and the substances were detected at 212 nm. The linearity range for both drugs was 0.5-12.0 microg ml(-1). The determination and detection limits were found to be 0.100 and 0.010 microg ml(-1) for MOEX and 0.025 and 0.005 microg ml(-1) for HCTZ, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in synthetic mixtures and commercially available tablets with a high percentage recovery, good accuracy and precision.     

Spectrophotometric and fluorimetric methods for the determination of meloxicam in dosage forms

Four simple and accurate methods are presented for the determination of meloxicam in dosage forms. These methods are based on: the direct measurements of the differential spectra at 339.9-384.7 nm (A), the 1D-values at 322-368 nm and 2D-values at 343.2-385.6 nm (B), the formation of an ion-association complex between the drug and safranin T with subsequent absorption measurement at 518 nm (C) and fluorescence measurement at 582 nm (D). All variables were studied to optimize the formation of the ion-association complex. Beer's law was valid over the concentration range 2-10 microg ml(-1) (method A), 1-10 microg ml(-1) (method B), 4.0-12 microg ml(-1) (method C) and 0.4-1.2 microg ml(-1) (method D). The detection limits were 0.11, 0.07, 0.10, 0.33 and 8.74 x 10(-3) microg ml(-1) for methods A, B, C and D, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the assay of meloxicam in tablets and suppositories. The procedures were rapid, simple and suitable for quality control applications.     

Simultaneous determination of benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets by second-order derivative spectrophotometry

A second-order derivative spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous determination of benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical dosage forms is described. The determination of benazepril hydrochloride in the presence of hydrochlorothiazide was achieved by measuring the second-order derivative signals at 253.6 and 282.6 nm, while the second-order derivative signal at 282.6 nm was measured for the determination of hydrochlorothiazide. The linear dynamic ranges were 14.80-33.80 microg ml(-1) for benazepril hydrochloride and 18.50-42.20 microg ml(-1) for hydrochlorothiazide, the correlation coefficient for the calibration graphs were better than 0.9998, n = 5, the precision (%RSD) was better than 1.43% and the accuracy was satisfactory (Er < 0.99%). The detection limits were found to be 2.46 and 1.57 microg ml(-1) for benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The method was applied in the quality control of commercial tablets and proved to be suitable for rapid and reliable quality control.     

Sensitive spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric methods for the determination of thonzylamine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations based on coupling with dimethylbarbituric acid in presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

Two sensitive and selective spectrophotometric and spectrofluoimetric procedures were developed for the determination of thonzylamine hydrochloride (THAH) in tablets and nasal drops. The methods are based on K?nig reaction which resulted in an orange-yellow fluorescent product. The orange-yellow product of the interaction between the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), THAH and dimethylbarbituric acid (DMBA) showed an absorption maximum at 492 nm, a first-derivative signal at 494 nm and a fluorescence emission peak at 518 nm (lambda(ex)=492 nm). The orange-yellow color was found to be stable for at least 2 h. The reaction conditions were studied and optimized. The reaction obeys Beer's law over the ranges 8-20 and 0.2-2.0 microg ml(-1) for the derivative spectrophotometric and fluorimetric measurements, respectively. The detection limits were found to be 0.29 and 0.018 microg ml(-1) for the spectrophotometric and fluorimetric measurements, respectively. The proposed methods were applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations containing THAH, either alone or in combination with naphazoline nitrate.     

Spectrophotometric determination of some fluoroquinolone antibacterials by binary complex formation with xanthene dyes

Two simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric methods for the determination of levofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin have been performed in pure form, pharmaceutical tablets and spiked human urine. Both methods are based on the formation of a binary complex between the drugs and one of the two xanthene dyes, eosin Y or merbromin in aqueous buffered medium. Under the optimum conditions, the binary complexes showed absorption maxima at 547 nm for eosin Y and 545 nm for merbromin. Using eosin Y, the calibration graph was linear over the range 2-8 microg ml(-1) for the three drugs with mean percentage recoveries 99.935 +/- 0.648, 99.973 +/- 0.678 and 100.011 +/- 0.606 for levofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. While in case of merbromin, the concentration range was 2-15 microg ml(-1) with mean percentage recoveries 99.960 +/- 0.491, 100.017 +/- 0.510 and 99.980 +/- 0.506 for the three drugs, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to determine these drugs in their tablet formulations and spiked human urine and the results compared favorably to that of reference methods. The suggested methods have the advantage of being applicable for the determination of the three drugs without prior extraction. They are recommended for quality control and routine analysis where time, cost effectiveness and high specificity of analytical techniques are of great importance.     

A validated spectrofluorimetric method for determination of some psychoactive drugs

Five psychoactive drugs namely, chlorpromazine HCl, thioridazine HCl, clomipramine HCl, imipramine HCl and desipramine HCl were analyzed by a simple spectrofluorimetric method. The method is based on oxidation of the studied drugs using cerium(IV) in presence of sulphuric acid and monitoring the fluorescence of the formed cerium(III) at lambda(ex.) = 254 nm and lambda(em.) = 355 nm. All variables affecting the reaction conditions such as; cerium(IV) concentration, sulphuric acid concentration, heating time, temperature and dilution solvents were carefully studied. The effect of potential interference due to common ingredients as glucose, sucrose, lactose, citric acid and propylene glycol were investigated. A validation study of the proposed method was carried out according to USP 2002. Beer's law was obeyed for all the studied drugs in the concentration range of 0.05-1.3 microg/ml. Limits of detection range was 0.035-0.038 microg/ml and limits of quantitation of 0.116-0.125 microg/ml were obtained. The method was successfully applied for the assay of the studied drugs in pure form and in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Results were compared with official methods. The t- and F-values were calculated and compared with the theoretical values, which indicate high accuracy and good precision of the proposed method.     

Simultaneous determination of montelukast and loratadine by HPLC and derivative spectrophotometric methods

In this study, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and second derivative spectrophotometry have been used and described for the simultaneous determination of montelukast and loratadine in pharmaceutical formulations. HPLC separation was achieved with a Symmetry C18 column and sodium phosphate buffer (pH adjusted to 3.7): acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) as eluent, at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. UV detection was performed at 225 nm. The LC method is simple, rapid, selective and stability indicating for the determination of montelukast. 5-Methyl 2-nitrophenol was used as internal standard for the purpose of quantification of both the drugs in HPLC. In the second-order derivative spectrophotometry, for the determination of loratadine the zero-crossing technique was applied at 276.1 nm, but for montelukast peak amplitude at 359.7 nm (tangent method) was used. Both methods were fully validated and a comparison was made for assay determination of selected drugs in formulations. The results confirm that the methods are highly suitable for its intended purpose.     

Application of ninhydrin to spectrophotometric determination of famotidine in drug formulations

A simple and fast spectrophotometric procedure has been developed for the determination of famotidine. The method is based on the interaction of ninhydrin with primary amines present in the famotidine. This reaction produces a blue coloured product which absorbed maximally at 590 nm. The effects of variables such as reagent concentration and reaction time were investigated to optimize the procedure. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range of 5-30 microg ml(-1) with molar absorptivity of 6.99 x 10(3) l M(-1) cm(-1). The results were validated statistically. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of famotidine in tablets with satisfactory results.     

Spectrophotometric determination of nizatidine and ranitidine through charge transfer complex formation

Two Spectrophotometric procedures are presented for the determination of two commonly used H2-receptor antagonists, nizatidine (I) and ranitidine hydrochloride (II). The methods are based mainly on charge transfer complexation reaction of these drugs with either p-chloranilic acid (rho-CA) or 2, 3 dichloro-5, 6-dicyanoquinone (DDQ). The produced colored products are quantified spectrophotometrically at 515 and 467 nm in chloranilic acid and DDQ methods, respectively. The molar ratios for the reaction products and the optimum assay conditions were studied. The methods determine the cited drugs in concentration ranges of 20-200 and 20-160 microg/mL for nizatidine and ranges of 20-240 and 20-140 microg/mL for ranitidine with chloranilic acid and DDQ methods, respectively. A more detailed investigation of the complexes formed was made with respect to their composition, association constant, molar absorptivity and free energy change. The proposed procedures were successfully utilized in the determination of the drugs in pharmaceutical preparations. The standard addition method was applied by adding nizatidine and ranitidine to the previously analyzed tablets or capsules. The recovery of each drug was calculated by comparing the concentration obtained from the spiked mixtures with those of the pure drug. The results of analysis of commercial tablets and the recovery study (standard addition method) of the cited drugs suggested that there is no interference from any excipients, which are present in tablets or capsules. Statistical comparison of the results was performed with regard to accuracy and precision using student's t-test and F-ratio at 95% confidence level. There is no significant difference between the reported and proposed methods with regard to accuracy and precision.     

Simultaneous determination of paracetamol and methocarbamol in tablets by ratio spectra derivative spectrophotometry and LC

The application of the ratio spectra derivative spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to the simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PAR) and methocarbamol (MET) in combined pharmaceutical tablets is presented. The spectrophotometric procedure is based on the use of the first derivative of the ratio spectra obtained by dividing the absorbtion spectrum of the binary mixtures by a standard spectrum of one of the compounds. The first derivative amplitudes were measured at 243.0 and 230.3 nm for the assay of PAR and MET, respectively. Calibration graphs were established for 2-30 microg ml for PAR and 2-36 microg/ml for MET in binary mixture. The detection limits for PAR and MET were found 0.097 and 0.079 microg/ml, respectively; while the quantification limits were 0.573 microg/ml for PAR and 1.717 microg/ml for MET. For the HPLC procedure, a reversed-phase column with a mobile phase of methanol-water (60:40, v/v), was used to separate both compounds with a detection of 274.0 nm. Linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 2 300 and 1.5-375 microg/ml for PAR and MET, respectively. The detection and quantification limits were found to be 0.42 and 1.4 microg/ml for PAR and 0.36 and 1.2 microg/ml for MET, respectively. The relative standard deviations were found to be less than 0.52%, indicating reasonable repeatibility of both methods. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in commercial tablets.     

Spectrophotometric and AAS determination of ramipril and enalapril through ternary complex formation

Two sensitive, spectrophotometric and atomic absorption spectrometric procedures are developed for the determination of two antihypertensive agents (enalapril maleate and ramipril). The spectrophotometric procedures for the two cited drugs are based on ternary complex formation. The first ternary complex (copper(II), eosin, and enalapril) was estimated by two methods; the first depends on its extraction with chloroform measuring at 533.4 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in concentration range from 56 to 112 microg ml(-1). The second method for the same complex depends on its direct measurement after addition of methylcellulose as surfactant at the pH value 5 at 558.8 nm. The concentration range is from 19 to 32 microg ml(-1). The second ternary complex (iron(III), thiocyanate, and ramipril) was extracted with methylene chloride, measuring at 436.6 nm, with a concentration range 60-132 microg ml(-1). The direct atomic absorption spectrometric method through the quantitative determination of copper or iron content of the complex was also investigated for the purpose of enhancing the sensitivity of the determination. The spectrophotometric and atomic absorption spectrometric procedures hold their accuracy and precision well when applied to the determination of ramipril and enalapril dosage forms.     

Voltammetric determination of montelukast sodium in dosage forms and human plasma

The voltammetric behaviour of montelukast (MKST) was studied using cyclic voltammetry, direct current (DCt), differential pulse polarography (DPP) and alternating current (ACt) polarography. MKST exhibited well-defined cathodic waves over the range pH range 1-5. No anodic waves were produced over the same pH range. At pH 1, the analytical pH; the diffusion current constant (Id) was 2.2+/-0.01 microA l mmol-1. The current concentration plot was rectilinear over the range 2-20 microg ml-1 with correlation coefficient (n=10) of 0.9943. The lower limit of detection (S/N=2) was 0.2 microg ml-1 (3.41x10(-7) M). The wave has been characterised as being diffusion-controlled, although adsorption phenomenon played a limited role in the electrode reaction. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of MKST in commercial tablets, and results were in agreement with those given with a reference HPLC method. The method was further extended to the in vitro determination of the drug in spiked human plasma. The mean % recovery (n=5) was 101.38+/-3.85. The number of electrons transferred in the reduction process could be accomplished and a proposal of the electrode reaction was proposed.     

Spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric determination of rosiglitazone maleate in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids

Two simple, sensitive and specific methods were developed for the determination of rosiglitazone maleate (ROZ) in pure form, pharmaceutical preparations, and biological fluids. Method I (spectrophotometry) is based on complex formation of (ROZ) with both copper(II) chloride, and aluminum (III) chloride in borate buffer (pH 6.5). The absorbance of the formed complexes was measured at 318 nm. The absorbance- concentration plots were rectilinear over the concentration range of 8 – 80 and 5 – 70 μg/ml, with detection limits of 1.98 and 1.32 μg/ml for Cu(II) and Al(III), respectively. Method II is based on the spectrofluorimetric determination of ROZ through complex formation with Al⁺3 in acetate buffer of pH 5. The relative fluorescence intensity of the formed complex was twice that of the native fluorescence of the drug and was measured at 376 nm after excitation at 318 nm. The fluorescence intensity – concentration plot was rectilinear over the concentration range of 0.03 – 2.0 μg/ml with minimum quantification limit (LOQ) of 0.02 μg/ml and minimum limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01 μg/ml. The factors affecting the complex formation in both methods (I and II) were carefully studied and optimized. Both methods were applied for the determination of ROZ in its tablets. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained by the comparison method. Furthermore, method II was applied for the determination of ROZ in spiked and real human plasma, and the mean % recoveries (n = 4) were 97.54 ±0.56, and 97.38±0.93 respectively. The stability of the formed complexes in both methods was studied, and the proposed methods were found to be stability indicating ones. The composition of these complexes as well as their stability constants was also investigated. Moreover, the methods were utilized to investigate the kinetics of alkaline, acidic, and oxidative induced photodegradation of the drug. The apparent first-order rate constant and halflife of the photodegradation products were calculated. Reaction pathways were postulated.