Spectroscopic characterization and quantitative determination of atorvastatin calcium impurities by novel HPLC method

Determination of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead and nickel as elemental impurities in atorvastatin calcium by inductively coupled mass spectrometer

Atorvastatin calcium is employed as front-line treatment for cardiovascular diseases. According to the international conference on harmonization (ICH) guideline ICH Q3D, elemental impurities can come into drug products from various sources. These elemental impurities do not have any therapeutic benefit to the end-user. On the contrary, it harms the normal physiological system. Class 1 elements like arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead are inorganic impurities that can cause toxic effects on the human body. Nickel was used as a catalyst during the synthesis process of atorvastatin calcium. It comes under the Class-2A, can cause toxicity to humans, and must be quantified. A simple, fast, reliable inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric method for the estimation of elemental impurities like arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, and nickel in atorvastatin calcium by open sample digestion technique was developed and validated in accordance with ICH Q3D and USP < 232 > and USP <233 > general chapter. Internal standards like indium, terbium, thallium, bismuth and yttrium were used to correct the non-spectral interferences that were generated during analysis. Gold was added to all solutions as it preserves mercury by amalgamation. The system performance was evaluated every time my performing system suitability parameters. The limits for all the elements were fixed in accordance with ICH Q3D. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification for all the five elements were estimated. Method specificity was proven by checking for interferences due to the sample matrix and other elements. Linearity of each element in standards was established from 25% to 200% of sample concentration, and correlation coefficients were found to be not less than 0.999. The accuracy of the method was demonstrated at three spiking levels at 50%, 100%, and 150% of the J-value for all the elements. The recoveries for all elements at each level were within the range of 90-120%. Method precision was proved at 100% J-value. The relative standard deviation of all elements was less than 5%. It concludes that this newly developed and validated reliable inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric method for estimating of elemental impurities like arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, and nickel in atorvastatin calcium was within the permitted limit and suitable for routine use.

Synthesis, Analytical Characterization and Spectroscopic Investigation of Chloramphenicol Impurity A for the Quality Control of Chloramphenicol and its Formulation as Per International Compendium

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of the present work is to synthesize chloramphenicol impurity A (CLRMIMP- A) in the purest form and its subsequent characterization by using a panel of sophisticated analytical techniques (LC-MS, DSC, TGA, NMR, FTIR, HPLC, and CHNS) to provide as a reference standard mentioned in most of the international compendiums, including IP, BP, USP, and EP. The present synthetic procedure has not been disclosed anywhere in the prior art.

METHODS

A simple, cheaper, and new synthesis method was described for the preparation of CLRM-IMP-A. It was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, DSC, TGA, NMR (1H and 13C), LC-MS, CHNS, and HPLC.

RESULTS

CLRM-IMP-A present in drugs and dosage form can alter the therapeutic effects and adverse reaction of a drug considerably, it is mandatory to have a precise method for the estimation of impurities to safeguard the public health. Under these circumstances, the presence of CLRM-IMP-A in chloramphenicol (CLRM) requires strict quality control to satisfy the specified regulatory limit. The synthetic impurity obtained was in the pure form to provide a certified reference standard or working standard to stakeholders with defined potency.

CONCLUSION

The present research describes a novel technique for the synthesis of pharmacopoeial impurity, which can help in checking/controlling the quality of the CLRM in the international markets.

Impurities in Drug Products and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

Analytical methods should be selective and fast. In modern times, scientists strive to meet the criteria of green chemistry, so they choose analytical procedures that are as short as possible and use the least toxic solvents. It is quite obvious that the products intended for human consumption should be characterized as completely as possible. The safety of a drug is dependent mainly on the impurities that it contains. High pressure liquid chromatography and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography have been proposed as the main techniques for forced degradation and impurity profiling. The aim of this article was to characterize the relevant classification of drug impurities and to review the methods of impurities determination for atorvastatin (ATV) and duloxetine (DLX) (both in active pharmaceutical ingredients and in different dosage forms). These drugs have an impact on two systems of the human body: cardiac and nervous. Simple characteristics of ATV and DLX, their properties and specificity of action on the human body, are also included in this review. The analyzed pharmaceuticals-ATV (brand name Lipiron) and DLX (brand name Cymbalta)-were selected for this study based on annual rankings prepared by Information Medical Statistics.