Determination of clindamycin in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography using coupled columns

New methods for quantification of amoxicillin and clindamycin in human plasma using HPLC with UV detection

Objectives

We aimed to develop simple and rapid HPLC methods for determination of amoxicillin and clindamycin in human plasma.

Methods

Plasma samples were pretreated by direct deproteinization with acetonitrile and the analytical separation took place on a reverse phase Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (2.7 μm, 2.1 × 100 mm) with a gradient of acetonitrile. UV detection at 229 nm for amoxicillin and 204 nm for clindamycin was used for determination of the antibiotics in plasma.

Results

The calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranges of 1–100 mg/L for amoxicillin and 1–15 mg/L for clindamycin with a correlation coefficient of ≥0.98. Intra-assay precisions were all ≤15% and the accuracies were within ±15%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was found to be 0.5 mg/L for amoxicillin and 1 mg/L for clindamycin with inter-assay imprecision coefficient of variances (CVs) of 18.7% and 15.6%, respectively. The present HPLC methods were successfully applied on spike-in samples and on plasma samples collected 4–6 and 3.5–5.5 h after oral antibiotic administration of 500 mg of amoxicillin and 600 mg of clindamycin, respectively.

Conclusions

We have developed HPLC methods with UV detection for quantification of amoxicillin and clindamycin in human plasma. The methods are fast, simple and suitable for use in routine settings and clinical studies.

Application of an LC-ESI-QTOF-MS method for evaluating clindamycin concentrations in plasma and prostate microdialysate of rats

Clindamycin is used for infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative anaerobic pathogens and Gram-positive aerobes. Propionibacterium acnes is an important opportunistic microorganism of the human skin and is related to prostatitis. An LC-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight-MS method was validated for determining clindamycin concentrations in plasma and prostate microdialysate. Clindamycin separation was carried out on a C₁₈ column at 0.5 mL/min. The mobile phase employed gradient elution of formic acid and methanol. A mass spectrometer was operated in positive electrospray ionization mode to monitor ion 425.1784 and 253.1152 for clindamycin and cimetidine (internal standard), respectively. Linearity was obtained at 0.5-10.0 μg/mL (plasma) and 0.05-1.0 μg/mL (microdialysate) with coefficients of determination ≥0.999. The intra- and inter-day precision (coefficient of variation - CV%) values were ≤13.83% and 12.51% for plasma, respectively, and ≤10.90% and 9.35% for microdialysate, respectively. The accuracy was between 90.82% and 108.25% for plasma, and 96.97% and 106.98% for microdialysate. The present method was fully validated and applied to investigate clindamycin concentrations in both plasma and prostate by microdialysis in Wistar rats (80 mg/kg, intravenous). Because the penetration of antibiotics into the prostate may be restricted, this method allows us to investigate the prostate concentrations of clindamycin for the first time.

Derivative spectrophotometric method for simultaneous determination of clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin in pharmaceutical dosage forms

A derivative spectrophotometric method was proposed for the simultaneous determination of clindamycin and tretinoin in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The measurement was achieved using the first and second derivative signals of clindamycin at (¹D) 251 nm and (²D) 239 nm and tretinoin at (¹D) 364 nm and (²D) 387 nm.

The proposed method showed excellent linearity at both first and second derivative order in the range of 60–1200 and 1.25–25 μg/ml for clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin respectively. The within-day and between-day precision and accuracy was in acceptable range (CV<3.81%, error<3.20%). Good agreement between the found and added concentrations indicates successful application of the proposed method for simultaneous determination of clindamycin and tretinoin in synthetic mixtures and pharmaceutical dosage form.

Update on clindamycin in the management of bacterial, fungal and protozoal infections

Lincomycin and clindamycin are the only members of the relatively small lincosamide antimicrobial class marketed for use in humans. This paper only reviews data regarding clindamycin, with an emphasis on data published over the last decade. Clindamycin exhibits a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, including Gram-positive aerobes/anaerobes, Gram-negative anaerobes and select protozoa (Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium falciparum, Babesia spp.) and fungi (Pneumocystis jiroveci). It still enjoys use in the therapy and prophylaxis of a large number of bacterial, protozoal and fungal infections, despite > 40 years of clinical use. However, the spectre of resistance by an increasing number of microorganisms is beginning to cast a shadow over the future use of this valuable agent. With the emergence and spread of infections due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococci (for which clindamycin is a first-line agent), it is hoped that the issues of resistance can be mitigated and the use of clindamycin extended for at least the foreseeable future.

Ultrasensitive assay of clindamycin in medicine and bio-fluids with chemiluminescence detection

A simple chemiluminescence (CL) method using flow injection has been developed for the determination of clindamycin, based on the inhibitory effect of clindamycin on the CL generated from the luminol-K(3)Fe(CN)(6) system in alkaline medium. It was found that the decrement of CL intensity was linear with the logarithm of clindamycin concentration over the range 0.7-1000 ng/mL. The detection limit was 0.2 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of <5.0% (n = 7). At a flow rate of 3.0 mL/min, a complete analytical process could be performed within 0.5 min, including sampling and washing. The proposed procedure was applied successfully to the determination of clindamycin in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine without pretreatment.

Separation and characterization of clindamycin and related impurities in bulk drug by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A simple high-performance liquid-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (HPLC-ESI-MSn) method has been developed for the rapid identification of clindamycin and its related minor impurities in bulk drug. The ESI-MSn results obtained allowed us to propose plausible schemes for their fragmentations, which were confirmed further by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS) using collision-induced dissociation (CID) method at high mass resolution. The positive ESI-MS/MS of clindamycin and its derivative compounds showed some diagnostic fragments, such as the neutral losses of H2O, HCl, methanethiol and 2-methylthio-ethenol, and the residue of 3-propyl-N-methylpyrrolidine and 3-ethyl-N-methylpyrrolidine, which are specific and useful for the identification of the lincosamide antibiotics and related impurities. According to the fragmentation mechanism of mass spectrometry and HPLC-UV-ESI-MSn data, six impurities of clindamycin have been identified on-line. Additionally, the positive ion mode extracted ion current (EIC) method has been used to separate and identify these lincosamide compounds.

Rapid determination of clindamycin in medicine with myoglobin–luminol chemiluminescence system

A sensitive chemiluminescence method, based on the inhibitory effect of clindamycin on the chemiluminescence reaction between luminol and myoglobin in a flow-injection system, is proposed for the determination of clindamycin. The decrement of chemiluminescence intensity is linear with the logarithm of clindamycin concentration over the range from 0.1 to 70.0 ng ml-1 (r2=0.9995), with the detection limit of 0.03 ng ml-1 (3sigma). At a flow rate of 2.0 ml min-1, a complete analytical process could be performed within 0.5 min, including sampling and washing, with a relative standard deviation of less than 3.0% (n=5). The proposed procedure was applied successfully to the determination of clindamycin in capsules without any pretreatment process.

Development and validation of a gradient HPLC method for the determination of clindamycin and related compounds in a novel tablet formulation

A gradient reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated for potency, content uniformity, and impurity determinations for a novel tablet formulation containing clindamycin. The assay utilized UV detection at 214 nm and a Waters Xterra RP18 column (4.6 mm x 100 mm, 3.5 microm). The mobile phases were comprised of pH 10.5, 10 mM carbonate buffer and acetonitrile. Validation experiments were performed to demonstrate specificity, linearity, accuracy (i.e., average recovery from the formulation), precision (i.e., repeatability), limit of quantitation (LOQ), and robustness (i.e., sample solution stability and buffer pH effects on specificity). The assay was shown to be specific for clindamycin, several impurities, and triethyl citrate, a retained excipient that was present in the dosage form. The assay was proved linear (concentration versus peak area) for clindamycin and several select impurities over the ranges of 70-130% and 0.1-5%, respectively. UV relative response factors were determined for the impurities from the linearity data. The accuracy of clindamycin at the targeted assay concentration was 99.2% (n = 3; precision = 0.12%, R.S.D.); accuracy for lincomycin, a structurally related impurity, was 97.4% (n = 3; precision = 3.5%, R.S.D.) at 0.1% of the targeted assay concentration. By demonstrating an acceptable degree of precision for lincomycin at this level, the LOQ was shown to be no higher than 0.1%. The chromatography was virtually unaffected over a mobile phase buffer pH range spanning 0.4 pH units. Sample solutions were stable for 72 h under ambient conditions.

Simple method for the assay of clindamycin in human plasma by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detector

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated for the quantification of clindamycin in human plasma. After precipitation with 50% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) containing the internal standard, propranolol, the analysis of the clindamycin level in the plasma samples was carried out using a reverse-phase cyano (CN) column with ultraviolet detection (204 nm). The chromatographic separation was accomplished with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-distilled water-7.6 mm tetramethylammonium chloride (TMA) (60:40:0.075, v/v/v), adjusted to pH 3.2. The proposed method was specific and sensitive with a lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 0.2 microg/mL. This HPLC method was validated by examining the precision and accuracy for inter- and intraday analysis in the concentration range 0.2-20.0 microg/mL. The relative standard deviations (RSD) in the inter- and intraday validation were 6.1-14.9 and 6.0-16.1%, respectively. In the stability test, clindamycin was found to be stable in human plasma during the storage and assay procedure. The present HPLC method was applied to the analysis of samples taken up to 12 h after a single oral administration of clindamycin in healthy volunteers.

A new HPLC/UV method for the determination of clindamycin in dog blood serum

A new HPLC method for the quantitative determination of clindamycin in dog blood serum at levels down to 80 ng/ml has been developed. Samples were deproteinised with acetonitrile and clindamycin was extracted with dichloromethane. Chromatographic analysis was carried out on a C(18) reversed-phase analytical column in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium hydrogen sulfate (TBA), as an ion-pairing agent. UV detector wavelength was set at 195 nm. The assay was validated for a concentration range from 80 to 6000 ng/ml serum. Good linearity was observed in the entire concentration range. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 80 ng/ml and the limit of detection (LOD) was 60 ng/ml. Regression of accuracy data yielded an overall mean recovery value (+/-S.E.M.) of 93.98+/-0.42%, while precision data revealed coefficient of variation (CV (%)) values lower than 4.41%. The method was successfully applied to determine drug concentrations in serum samples from dogs that had been orally administered clindamycin hydrochloride.

Lincomycin, cultivation of producing strains and biosynthesis

Lincomycin and its derivatives are antibiotics exhibiting biological activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The semi-synthetic chlorinated lincomycin derivative is used in clinical practice. The chemical structure of lincosamide antibiotics, cultivation of producing strains and analytical procedures used for separation and isolation of these compounds are described in this review. Biosynthesis of lincomycin and related compounds and its genetic control are briefly discussed.

Quantitative analysis of clindamycin in human plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry using d1-N-ethylclindamycin as internal standard

A new method for the quantitative analysis of clindamycin in human plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) is presented. Recently published methods possess a disadvantage because of their use of internal standards with extraction and ionisation properties different from those of clindamycin. To avoid these problems, d(1)-N-ethylclindamycin was synthesised for use as internal standard by N-demethylation and subsequent d(1)-N-ethylation. Plasma sample preparation was done by an easy and rapid liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate. The method was validated in the expected concentration range for a pharmacokinetic study. Calibration graphs were linear within the range 0.05-3.2 microg/mL plasma. Intra-day precision was between 0.90% (2.8 microg/mL) and 3.25% (0.05 microg/mL), inter-day variability was found to be between 1.33% (0.7 microg/mL) and 2.60% (0.05 microg/mL). Inter-day accuracy showed deviations between 0.4% (0.05 microg/mL) and -4.8% (0.2 microg/mL). The method is simple and robust, and has been applied to the batch analysis of clindamycin during a pharmacokinetic study.

Determination of clindamycin in animal plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A method for the quantification of clindamycin in animal plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) is presented. Lincomycin is used as the internal standard. The sample preparation includes a simple deproteinization step with trichloroacetic acid. Chromatographic separation is achieved on an RP-18 Hypersil column using gradient elution with 0.01 M ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Good linearity was observed in the range 0-10 microg ml(-1). The limit of quantification of the method is 50 ng ml(-1) and the limit of detection is 1.3 ng ml(-1). The method was shown out to be of use for pharmacokinetic studies of clindamycin formulations in dogs.

Sensitive and specific determination of clindamycin in human serum and bone tissue applying liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry

A method for the quantification of clindamycin in human serum and in human bone tissue samples applying high-performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) is presented. Lincomycin is used as the internal standard. Serum samples are prepared only by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Bone tissue samples have to be crushed and homogenized in extraction buffer prior to analysis. The chromatographic separation is achieved on an RP-18 stationary phase with 0.02% trifluoroacetic acid in water 60%/ acetonitrile 40% v/v as mobile phase. The limits of quantification are 0.1 microg/ml for serum samples and 0.1 microg/g for bone tissue samples. The coefficients of variation for the assays are 4.48 and 8.41% at the limit of quantification for serum and bone tissue samples, respectively. Bone tissue samples as small as 50 mg can be used.