FTIR Spectroscopy: A Tool for Quantitative Analysis of Ciprofloxacin in Tablets

Synthesis and Characterization of Antibacterial Chitosan Films with Ciprofloxacin in Acidic Conditions

This work presents the results of research on obtaining chitosan (CS) films containing on their surface ciprofloxacin (CIP). A unique structure was obtained that not only gives new properties to the films, but also changes the way of coverage and structure of the surface. The spectroscopic test showed that in the process of application of CIP on the surface of CS film, CIP was converted from its crystalline form to an amorphic one, hence improving its bioavailability. This improved its scope of microbiological effect. The research was carried out on the reduction of CIP concentration during the process of CIP adhesion to the surface of chitosan films. The antibacterial activity of the CS films with and without the drug was evaluated in relation to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as Candida albicans and Penicillium expansum. Changes in the morphology and roughness of membrane surfaces after the antibacterial molecule adhesion process were tested with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Structural analysis of CS and its modifications were confirmed with Fourier-transform spectroscopy in the infrared by an attenuated total reflectance of IR radiation (FTIR-ATR) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

A New method for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative determination of amlodipine besylate and atorvastatin calcium in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations using transmission FT-IR spectroscopy

A simple, precise, rapid, and eco-friendly FTIR spectrophotometric method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of amlodipine (AML) and atorvastatin (ATV) in drug combination preparations. Firstly, synthetic mixtures were made and scanned with FTIR instrument. Then the result spectra were converted automatically to absorbance spectra. The calibration model was made depending on Beer's law which relates concentration to absorbance. Two characteristic bands corresponding to the carbonyl group at 1708-1688 cm^-1 and 1660-1632 cm^-1 for AML and ATV, respectively, were selected for quantification. The absorbance of a series of standards was measured as the AUC of the chosen bands. Then, the calibration line was obtained by plotting the measured AUCs and the actual concentrations against each other. Validation tests were performed per ICH recommendations. Specificity was evaluated by the separation of APIs and excipients from marketed preparations by methanol. Then, the spectra of extracted excipients, APIs, and pharmaceutical samples were taken and overlapped. The selected peaks were specific and did not interfere with each other or other peaks from the excipients used in the tablet's matrix. Linearity for AML and ATV was in the range of 0.1-1% w/w with excellent coefficients of determination (R²), 0.998 and 0.999 for AML and ATV, respectively. The proposed analytical method was accurate and precious, as the RSD values were less than 2%. The proposed FTIR method was successfully applied to estimate the exact quantity of APIs in pharmaceutical samples. Recoveries were accepted in accordance with USP and were in the range of 94.62-100.6% and 98.175-101.06% for AML and ATV, respectively. Likewise, the acquired results were compared with the HPLC method. And the t- and F- tests were calculated and compared with the theoretical values, which indicate the similarity of results in both developed and reported methods.

Solubility of Luteolin and Other Polyphenolic Compounds in Water, Nonpolar, Polar Aprotic and Protic Solvents by Applying FTIR/HPLC

In recent years, flavonoids have become a highly researched topic due to their health beneficial effects. Since flavonoids’ solubility plays a significant role in their use in pharmaceutical, food, biological, and chemical areas, the determination of suitable solvents is crucial. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was used to characterize functional groups of several flavonoids and phenolic compounds, namely luteolin, hesperidin, quercetin, naringenin, gallic acid and tannic acid. Concentration dependence on transmittance was evaluated for these compounds in ethanol. Afterwards, luteolin was chosen as a model flavonoid, with its concentration correlated with transmittance using 15 solvents with different polarities. Luteolin solubility was further corroborated with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These results shed light on using FTIR as a semi-quantitative method for the initial screening of solvents and the solubility of different compounds while saving time and solvents. Hence, HPLC would only be needed as a final step for the most promising solvents.

Direct Quantification of Drug Loading Content in Polymeric Nanoparticles by Infrared Spectroscopy

Nanotechnology has enabled the development of novel therapeutic strategies such as targeted nanodrug delivery systems, control and stimulus-responsive release mechanisms, and the production of theranostic agents. As a prerequisite for the use of nanoparticles as drug delivery systems, the amount of loaded drug must be precisely quantified, a task for which two approaches are currently used. However, both approaches suffer from the inefficiencies of drug extraction and of the solid-liquid separation process, as well as from dilution errors. This work describes a new, reliable, and simple method for direct drug quantification in polymeric nanoparticles using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which can be adapted for a wide variety of drug delivery systems. Silk fibroin nanoparticles and naringenin were used as model polymeric nanoparticle carrier and drug, respectively. The specificity, linearity, detection limit, precision, and accuracy of the spectroscopic approach were determined in order to validate the method. A good linear relation was observed within 0.00 to 7.89% of naringenin relative mass with an R2 of 0.973. The accuracy was determined by the spike and recovery method. The results showed an average 104% recovery. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of the drug loading content were determined to be 0.3 and 1.0%, respectively. The method's robustness is demonstrated by the notable similarities between the calibrations carried out using two different equipment setups at two different institutions.

Preparation of Novel Nano-Sized Hydrogel Microcapsules via Layer-By-Layer Assembly as Delivery Vehicles for Drugs onto Hygiene Paper

Hydrogel microcapsules are improved transplantation delivery vehicles for pharmaceuticals by effectively segregating the active ingredients from the surroundings and delivering them to a certain target site. Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is an attractive process to fabricate the nano-sized hydrogel microcapsules. In this study, nano-sized hydrogel microcapsules were prepared through LbL assembly using calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO₃ NPs) as the sacrificial inorganic template, sodium alginate (SA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the shell materials. Ciprofloxacin was used to study the encapsulation and release properties of the hydrogel microcapsules. The hydrogel microcapsules were further adsorbed onto the paper to render antimicrobial properties. The results showed that the mean size of the CaCO₃ template was reduced after dispersing into sodium n-dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution under sonication. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) revealed that some hydrogel microcapsules had a diameter under 200 nm, typical creases and collapses were found on the surface. The nano-sized PEI/SA hydrogel microcapsules showed high loading capacity of ciprofloxacin and a sustained release. PEI/SA hydrogel microcapsules rendered good antimicrobial properties onto the paper by the adsorption of hydrogel microcapsules, however, the mechanical properties of the hygiene paper were decreased.

Electrospun gelatin/sodium bicarbonate and poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone)/sodium bicarbonate nanofibers as drug delivery systems

In this work, we report electrospun nanofibers made of model hydrophobic (poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone); PLCL) and hydrophilic (gelatin) polymers. We explored the effect on drug release of the incorporation of sodium bicarbonate (SB) into these fibers, using the potent antibacterial agent ciprofloxacin as a model drug. The fibers prepared are smooth and have relatively uniform diameters lying between ca. 600 and 850nm. The presence of ciprofloxacin in the fibers was confirmed using IR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction showed the drug to be incorporated into the fibers in the amorphous form. In vitro drug release studies revealed that, as expected, more rapid drug release was seen with gelatin fibers than those made of PLCL, and a greater final release percentage was obtained. The inclusion of SB in the gelatin fibers imparts them with pH sensitivity: gelatin/SB fibers showed faster release at pH5 than pH7.4, while fibers without SB gave the same release profiles at both pHs. The PLCL fibers have no pH sensitivity, even when SB was included, as a result of their hydrophobic structure precluding the ingress of solvent. In vitro cell culture studies showed that all the fibers are able to promote cell proliferation. The ciprofloxacin loaded fibers are effective in inhibiting Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus growth in antibacterial tests. Thus, the gelatin-based fibers can be used as pH-responsive drug delivery systems, with potential applications for instance in the treatment of tumor resection sites. Should these become infected, the pH would drop, resulting in ciprofloxacin being released and the infection halted.

A novel gel based on an ionic complex from a dendronized polymer and ciprofloxacin: Evaluation of its use for controlled topical drug release

The development and characterization of a novel, gel-type material based on a dendronized polymer (DP) loaded with ciprofloxacin (CIP), and the evaluation of its possible use for controlled drug release, are presented in this work. DP showed biocompatible and non-toxic behaviors in cultured cells, both of which are considered optimal properties for the design of a final material for biomedical applications. These results were encouraging for the use of the polymer loaded with CIP (as a drug model), under gel form, in the development of a new controlled-release system to be evaluated for topical administration. First, DP-CIP ionic complexes were obtained by an acid-base reaction using the high density of carboxylic acid groups of the DP and the amine groups of the CIP. The complexes obtained in the solid state were broadly characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, XRP diffraction, DSC-TG analysis and optical microscopy techniques. Gels based on the DP-CIP complexes were easily prepared and presented excellent mechanical behaviors. In addition, optimal properties for application on mucosal membranes and skin were achieved due to their high biocompatibility and acute skin non-irritation. Slow and sustained release of CIP toward simulated physiological fluids was observed in the assays (in vitro), attributed to ion exchange phenomenon and to the drug reservoir effect. An in vitro bacterial growth inhibition assay showed significant CIP activity, corresponding to 38 and 58% of that exhibited by a CIP hydrochloride solution at similar CIP concentrations, against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. However, CIP delivery was appropriate, both in terms of magnitude and velocity to allow for a bactericidal effect. In conclusion, the final product showed promising behavior, which could be exploited for the treatment of topical and mucosal opportunistic infections in human or veterinary applications.

Application of proteomics in diagnosis of ADHD, schizophrenia, major depression, and suicidal behavior

This report focuses on the application of different proteomic techniques in diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders such as major depression, suicidal behavior, schizophrenia, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Firstly, we briefly describe different analytic approaches that can be applied for the discovery of specific biomarkers for diagnosing the above disorders, as well as for monitoring the effect of their treatment. Secondly, we discussed the types of biomarkers in general used in biomedicine for characterizing different disorders and diseases. Next, the potential applications of these biomarkers for diagnosing and managing major depression, suicidal behavior, schizophrenia, and ADHD are discussed in details. Forensic aspects of these biomarkers for the above disorders are also considered. Finally, we discuss the potential of specific biomarkers for distinguishing between comorbid psychiatric disorders in clinical setup as well as their potential for understanding mechanisms underlying the disorders and in discovery of new treatment strategies.

A Validated Method for the Quantitation of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride Using Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

A quantitative method using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was developed and validated for the estimation of ciprofloxacin in its tablet dosage forms. The solid-state samples were prepared by dilution in dry potassium bromide and were analyzed by FTIR spectrophotometer with DRIFT sampling technique. A linear relationship for the carbonyl peak area centered around 1709 cm−1 was observed in the range of 0.3–1.5% w/w with good correlation coefficient of 0.998. The percent recovery of ciprofloxacin in three marketed tablet dosage forms was in the range of 98.76 ± 0.27. The present reported method is precise, reproducible, and eco-friendly. DRIFTS may have a potential as an alternative method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of ciprofloxacin in bulk drugs and tablet dosage forms.