A new method for a quantitative determination of piroxicam in pharmaceutical formulations using FT-IR spectrometry

A Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometric method was developed for the rapid, and direct measurement of piroxicam (Pir) in pharmaceutical drugs. Pir is a well known and very effective antiinflammatory drug. Pir can be determined by various methods and now we are adding a new one that uses a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometric technique. Conventional spectra were compared for best determination of active substance in pharmaceutical formulations. The Beer-Lambert law and two chemometric approaches, partial least squares (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR+) methods, were tried in data processing.

[Construction and characterization of a selective membrane electrode for tenoxicam determination]

This paper describes the construction and characterization of a selective membrane electrode which can be used for determination of tenoxicam.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The electroactive compound is a precipitate obtained in 2 N hydrocloric acid solution containing tenoxicam in which a solution of iodine is added. The membrane is made by mixing the electroactive compound with polyethylene using tetrahydrofurane as solvent. The solution is evaporated in order to obtain a thick membrane, which is attached at one end of a PVC tube and is fixed with the same polymeric solution. In this tube an internal Ag/AgCl reference electrode is inserted. The assembly is filled with an internal solution containing tenoxicam. The electrode was characterized (electrode slope, selectivity, optimal pH range, response time, life time). The developed method was validated.

RESULTS

The method showed a good liniarity in the range of 10(-6)-10(-1) M (the correlation coefficient r = 0.9999). The detection limit (LD) was 7.347 x 10(-7) M and the quantification limit (LQ) was 1.017 x 10(-6) M. There were established the precision (RSD = 1.79%) and the accuracy (mean recovery is 100.17%)

CONCLUSIONS

The experimental results demonstrated a good sensibility.

[Turbidimetric determination of tenoxicam using molybdophosphoric acid]

A turbidimetric method was developed for tenoxicam quantification using the complexing reaction with molybdophosphoric acid in hydrochloric acid medium; the complex has a maximum of absorbance at 369 nm.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The practical working conditions were established. In the 2.5 division by 15.0 microg/mL concentration range of tenoxicam in 1N hydrochloric acid, were added 1 mL of 1% molybdophosphoric acid solution and 1 mL of 0.1% sodium lauryl sulphate. The stability of product was evaluated over 60 minutes. The developed method was validated.

RESULTS

The method showed a good linearity in the range of 2.5 division by 15.0 microg/mL (the correlation coefficient r = 0.9996). The detection limit (LD) was 0.44 microg/mL and the quantification limit (LQ) was 1.47 microg/mL. There were established the precision (RSD = 1.82%) and the accuracy (mean recovery is 100.79% in 97.55 division by BY 04.41% the range).

CONCLUSIONS

The experimental results demonstrated a good sensibility. The specific absorptivity for this method is A(1cm,369nm)(1%) higher than tenoxicam in hydrochloric acid medium A(1cm,354nm)(1%).

Soft-modeling based spectrofluorimetric study of simultaneous equilibria

A two-way soft resolution method will fail when applied to a simultaneous equilibria system due to rank deficiency in its concentration profiles. Increasing the dimensionality of measurements from two-way to three-way data can be used to overcome this problem. Simultaneous dissociation of two weak acids is considered as a model for simultaneous equilibria. Three-way data obtained from excitation-emission spectrofluorimetric monitoring of a pH-metric titration is analyzed using a proper combination of well-known soft-modeling methods. Multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares is used for calculating the excitation and emission spectral profiles of involved species and rank annihilation factor analysis for obtaining the contribution of each species in measured excitation-emission matrices at different pHs. The results of simulated and real simultaneous acids dissociation equilibria showed that the proposed combined method performs well even in situation when the equilibrium constants are close to each other. The applicability of method for study of an acidic dissociation is also shown.

[Spectrophotometric determination of piroxicam using ferric ferricyanide as reagent]

For the piroxicam determination (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-NSAID) it was developed a spectrophotometric method, based on the reduction of ferric ferricyanide into ferro-ferricyanide (Prussian Blue), with maximum of absorbance at 760 nm.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The practical working conditions were established. In the 0.2 divided by 2.0 microg/mL range of piroxicam concentration, were used the 2 mL of ferric ferricyanide 1 mL of 2N hydrocloric acid. To delay the flocculation of Prussian Blue it was to add a 1 mL solution of sodium lauryl sulfate 1%. After 15 minutes read the absorbance at 760 nm. The developed method was validated.

RESULTS

The method showed a good linearity in the range of 0.2 divided by 2.0 microg/mL (the correlation coefficient r = 0.9995). The detection limit (LD) was 0.056 microg/mL and the quantification limit (LQ) was 0.18 microg/mL. There were established the system precision (RSD = 0.25%), the precison (RSD = 1.91%) and the accuracy-recovery in the range 98.21 divided by 104.92% with a mean recovery of 100.91%.

CONCLUSION

The experimental results demonstrated a good sensibility. The specific absorptivity for this method is A(1 cm, 760 nm)(1%) = 4374 much higher than piroxicam in UV (A(1 cm, 330 nm)(1%) = 296)

Determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in pharmaceuticals and human serum by dual-mode gradient HPLC and fluorescence detection

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as piroxicam and mefenamic acid are commonly prescribed to treat inflammation, pain and fever. Similarly acetylsalicylic acid is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks. A rapid and selective method was developed for the simultaneous assay of three NSAIDs and salicylic acid via HPLC with fluorescence detection. The separation was performed using a "dual-mode" gradient (acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous orthophosphoric acid) and the analysis was completed within 7 min using an ACE column C18, 5 microm, 150 mm x 4.6 mm. Naproxen was used as internal standard. The proposed method is simple, selective as well as with a good sensitivity reaching LOD lower than 2 pmol (0.05 microM) and was applied for quantitative analysis in pharmaceuticals and in human serum samples. The mean recovery was more than 95% and the within-day and between-days precisions were found to be satisfactory having RSD within the acceptable limits (<10%).

Electrochemical monitoring of piroxicam in different pharmaceutical forms with multi-walled carbon nanotubes paste electrode

The electrochemical behavior of piroxicam on a multi-walled carbon nanotubes electrode for the first time was investigated. A highly sensitive and fast responding sensor for determination of piroxicam was simply and conveniently fabricated. The constructed electrode exhibits efficiently catalytic activity for the electrooxidation of piroxicam at a reduced over potential with high sensitivity, stability, and long lifetime in the wide concentration rang of piroxicam. The oxidation process was found to be dependent on the pH of the supporting electrolyte. The behavior is further exploited as a sensitive detection method for piroxicam determination by differential pulse voltammetry. Under the optimized conditions the calibration plots are linear in the concentration range of 0.15-5 microg ml(-1). Application of the method for the determination of the drug in the dosage form (Feledene capsules and tablets and also piroxicam gel), without any interference, from the excipients, resulted in acceptable deviation from the stated concentrations. Recoveries were obtained in the range 96.35-104.16%. The detection limit of 0.1 microg ml(-1) was obtained for piroxicam determination.

Miniaturized Assay for Solubility and Residual Solid Screening (SORESOS) in Early Drug Development

PURPOSE

The aim was to develop a miniaturized method for solubility and residual solid screening of drug compounds in aqueous and non-aqueous vehicles in early drug development.

METHODS

Different crystal modifications of caffeine, carbamazepine, and piroxicam were added into 96-well filter plates and solubility was determined in 100 microl of 17 pharmaceutical vehicles. After filtration, drug concentration was determined by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC). Residual solid drug in the filter plates was analyzed by high-throughput (HT) transmission X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD).

RESULTS

HT XRPD analysis revealed solid form conversions of all compounds during solubility determination, e.g., formation of hydrates in aqueous vehicles (caffeine, carbamazepine, piroxicam) or conversion of a metastable crystal form to the stable form (caffeine). Drug solubility was strongly dependent on the crystal modifications formed during the solubility assay.

CONCLUSIONS

The new assay allows the simultaneous, small scale screening of drug solubility in various pharmaceutical vehicles and identification of changes in solid form. It is useful for the identification of formulations and formulation options in non-clinical and clinical development.

Indirect Flow-Injection Spectrophotometric Determination of Meloxicam, Tenoxicam and Piroxicam in Pharmaceutical Formulations

A simple and sensitive indirect spectrophotometric method for the assay of meloxicam (MX), tenoxicam (TX) and piroxicam (PX) in pure and in pharmaceutical formulations by flow injection analysis (FIA) has been proposed. The method is based on the oxidation of these drugs by a known excess of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in an acidic medium, followed by a reaction of excess oxidant with chloranilic acid (CAA) to bleach its purple color. The absorbance values increased linearly with increasing concentrations of the drugs. Variables, such as the acidity, reagent concentrations, flow rate of reagents and other FI parameters were optimized to produce the most sensitive and reproducible results. The system obeyed Beer's low over concentration ranges of 10 - 160, 20 - 200 and 10 - 160 microg/ml for MX, TX and PX, respectively. The common excipients and additives did not interfere with their determinations. The method was successfully applied to the determinations of MX, TX and PX in various pharmaceutical preparations. The results obtained by the proposed method were found to be in good agreement with those found by the official HPLC methods.

Spectrofluorimetric and Spectrophotometric Stability-Indicating Methods for Determination of Some Oxicams Using 7-Chloro-4-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl)

Two sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric stability-indicating methods have been developed for the determination of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory oxicam derivatives namely lornoxicam (Lx), tenoxicam (Tx) and meloxicam (Mx) after their complete alkaline hydrolysis. The methods are based on derivatization of alkaline hydrolytic products with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl). The products showed an absorption maximum at 460 nm for the three studied drugs and fluorescence emission peak at 535 nm in methanol. The color was stable for at least 48 h. The optimum conditions of the reaction were investigated and it was found that the reaction proceeds quantitatively at pH 8, after heating in a boiling water bath for 30 min. The methods were found to be linear in the ranges of 1-10 microg ml(-1) for Lx and Tx and 0.5-4.0 microg ml(-1) for Mx for spectrophotometric method, while 0.05-1.0 microg ml(-1) for Lx and Tx and 0.025-0.4 microg ml(-1) for Mx for the spectrofluorimetric method. The validity of the methods was assessed according to USP guidelines. Statistical analysis of the results revealed high accuracy and good precision. The suggested procedures could be used for the determination of the above mentioned drugs in pure and dosage forms as well as in the presence of their degradation products.

Simultaneous Spectrofluorometric Determination of Piroxicam and Pyridoxine Using Generalized Rank Annihilation Method

The application of generalized rank annihilation method (GRAM) to the analysis of fluorescence excitation-emission matrices of mixtures of piroxicam and pyridoxine is described. The input of GRAM consists of two bilinear data matrices, i.e. one for unknown and one for the calibration sample. The excitation wavelength range was from 290 to 340 nm and the emission was recorded from 370 to 560 nm. Piroxicam and pyridoxine were determined in the concentration ranges 0.33 - 4.00 microg ml(-1) and 0.66 - 8.00 microg ml(-1), respectively. To check the accuracy of the proposed method, several binary synthetic mixtures and one real sample were analyzed successfully. No matrix effect was observed in mixture analysis, so a single external calibration sample was used for each analyte. The ability of GRAM to quantify the studied compounds and the comparability of GRAM results were evaluated by comparing them with those of PLS regression as a standard first-order calibration.

Determination of lornoxicam in pharmaceutical preparations by zero and first order derivative UV spectrophotometric methods

Zero and first order derivative UV spectrophotometric methods were developed for the analysis of lornoxicam (LOR). The solutions of the standards and pharmaceutical samples were prepared in 0.05 N NaOH. Absorbances of LOR were measured at 376 nm for the zero order by measuring height of peak from zero and at 281 and 302 nm for the first order derivative spectrophotometric method by measuring peak to peak height. The linearity ranges were found to be 0.5-35 microg/mL for the zero order and 0.2-75 microg/mL for the first order derivative UV spectrophotometric method. The methods were validated and applied to the determination of LOR in pharmaceutical preparations (tablet and injectable, both containing 8 mg LOR). It was concluded that the methods developed were accurate, sensitive, precise, robust, rugged and useful for the quality control of LOR in pharmaceutical preparations.

Polarographic behaviour of Aceclofenac, Tenoxicam and Droxicam in a methanol–water mixture

A polarographic study about how three anti-inflammatories, such as Aceclofenac, Tenoxicam and Droxicam behave, using tast polarography (TP) and differential pulse polarography (DPP) was carried out. These studies were always carried out in a media formed by Methanol-Britton-Robinson aqueous buffer (0.1M) (4:96 (v/v)) due to the low solubility of these drugs in water. A strong influence of pH on analytical signals was observed, showing that the optimal pH values were between 4 and 5. Using DPP in the optimal experimental conditions, a detection limit of 10 ppb for Tenoxicam and Droxicam and 52 ppb for Aceclofenac was reached. The DPP proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of the active compounds in commercial drugs.

The effect of pH dependent molecular conformation and dimerization phenomena of piroxicam on the drug:cyclodextrin complex stoichiometry and its chromatographic behaviour

The complexation of piroxicam with various cyclodextrins was studied in the whole pH range, in an attempt to clarify the reported differences in stoichiometry of the resulting inclusion complexes. In this work, it was found that the pH dependent self-association phenomena, detected in both alkaline and acidic media, are the defining features for complex stoichiometry. Also, it was observed that the inclusion complexes of the piroxicam zwitterion with beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD), methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin have a 2:2 stoichiometry in acidic pH, through inclusion of the benzyl ring moiety. As pH increased, it was determined that the different ionic state of the molecules creates new geometries, involving also the pyridyl-ring in the complexation. More stable inclusion complexes of 2:5 stoichiometry are observed at pH>4. A reversed phase liquid chromatography method, specific for the analysis of the included piroxicam, was developed and validated. The different stoichiometries and the dimers formation were investigated by interpretation of the two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy.

Quantitative determination of Piroxicam by TLC–MALDI TOF MS

A quantitative thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI) TOF mass spectrometry (MS) method for the determination of Piroxicam has been developed. Following preliminary experiments three different approaches to the incorporation of the internal standard (Tenoxicam) into the TLC plates were investigated. These were: (a) adding the internal standard to the mobile phase and pre-developing the plate, (b) coating the plate with internal standard by electrospraying prior to matrix application and finally, (c) mixing the internal standard into the matrix solution and electrospraying both. The most successful method was that where the internal standard was pre-developed over the plate. For this method linearity was observed over the range between 400 and 800ng of Piroxicam. The precision was found to be in the range of 1-9% R.S.D. from the average detected value (n = 5), dependent on the amount of analyte on the TLC plate. The proposed method was accurate with +/-2% deviation from the known amount of Piroxicam in the sample spot.

Stability-indicating chromatographic methods for the determination of some oxicams

Two sensitive and selective methods were developed for the determination of some oxicams, namely, lornoxicam (LOX), tenoxicam (TEX), and meloxicam (MEX), in the presence of their alkaline degradation products. The first method is based on the thin-layer chromatographic separation of the 3 drugs from their alkaline degradation products, followed by densitometric measurement of the intact drug spots for LOX, TEX, and MEX at 380, 370, and 364 nm, respectively. The developing systems used for separation are ethyl acetate-methanol-26% ammonia (17 + 3 + 0.35, v/v/v) for LOX and TEX and chloroform-n-hexane-96.0% acetic acid (18 + 1 + 1, v/v/v) for MEX. The linear ranges were 0.25-6.0 microg/spot for LOX and TEX and 0.5-10 microg/spot for MEX, with mean recoveries of 99.80 +/- 1.32, 100.57 +/- 1.34, and 100.71 +/- 1.57%, respectively. The second method is based on the liquid chromatographic separation of the 3 drugs from their alkaline degradation products on a reversed-phase C18 column, using mobile phases of methanol-acetonitrile-acetate buffer, pH 4.6 (4.5 + 0.5 + 5.0, v/v/v) for LOX and MEX and methanol-acetonitrile-acetate buffer, pH 4.6 (1.9 + 0.1 + 3.0, v/v/v) for TEX at ambient temperature. Quantification is achieved by UV detection at 280 nm, based on peak area. The linear ranges were 0.5-20 microg/mL for LOX and TEX and 1.25-50 microg/mL for MEX, with mean recoveries of 99.81 +/- 1.01, 98.90 +/- 1.61, and 100.86 +/- 1.55%, respectively. The methods were validated according to guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonization. The developed methods were successfully applied to the determination of LOX, TEX, and MEX in bulk powder, laboratory-prepared mixtures containing different percentages of degradation products, and pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of 2-aminopyridine as a potential impurity in piroxicam and tenoxicam within the pharmacopoeial limit

The British Pharmacopoeia defines 2-aminopyridine (2-AP) as a potential impurity in piroxicam (PX) and tenoxicam (TX). Selective spectrofluorimetric determination of 2-AP in PX and TX, within or near the pharmacopoeial level, 0.2%, was developed, based on the measurement of the native fluorescence either in aqueous 0.1N sulfuric acid or in dioxane. Accordingly, this approach was followed for confirming purity of PX and TX in bulk and pharmaceutical preparations. The study was also extended to include simultaneous determinations of PX/2-AP and TX/2-AP systems based on selective fluorescence measurements in the cited solvents.

A procedure for calibration transfer between near-infrared instruments – a worked example using a transmittance single tablet assay for piroxicam in intact tablets

A procedure was developed for different modes of calibration transfer in near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, which included a method for the selection of a subset of samples appropriate for transfer. As a worked example, these guidelines were applied to the transfer of a multivariate calibration model, representing a validated NIR single tablet assay for the active within an intact pharmaceutical product, between three equivalent dispersive NIR transmission instruments. Transfer was first evaluated between two instruments, representing the situation where both were available during calibration development. A spectral correction method alone, applied to the transfer instrument, was not sufficient to facilitate transfer, with further optimisation of the calibration model using a novel wavelength selection algorithm necessary to remove regions of the spectral range that resulted in skewed predictions on the second instrument. Through this approach, a single calibration model was found to be equally accurate and precise on the two instruments. A procedure, using the Kennard-Stone algorithm, is described for determining a reduced number of samples as a transfer set using only the spectral information from the original instrument. The purpose of the subset was to permit transfer to a new instrument where that instrument was not available until after calibration development or where it was undesirable to re-measure the full sample set (i.e. due to excessive reference chemistry). Utilising the transfer set, transfer to a third instrument was evaluated. The calibration model, optimised between the first two instruments, was not directly applicable for the third instrument, with further wavelength selection required to remove a small region of spectral data. On completion, using a full statistical evaluation, a single calibration model was found to be equally accurate and precise on all three instruments.

Evaluation of β-lactose, PVP K12 and PVP K90 as excipients to prepare piroxicam granules using two wet granulation techniques

The present investigation aimed at evaluating the use of different excipients, beta-lactose and polyvinylpyrrolidone of two molecular weights (PVP K12 and PVP K90), in the production of improved release piroxicam granules, by wet granulation using both water and steam as granulation liquid. The formulations examined were: piroxicam (Px)/beta-lactose; Px/PVP K12 and Px/PVP K90, each one at a 1:9 weight ratio. The most significant difference between beta-lactose and PVP is that, using the first excipient, both steam and water granules were produced while, when PVP were employed, only steam granules were obtained. Image analysis revealed that beta-lactose steam granules had a larger surface area with respect to water granules, whereas lower values of this parameter were observed in PVP-s granules, confirming the Scanning Electron Microscopy micrographs and the fractal analysis results. As regards the enhancement of the dissolution profiles, the best result was obtained using beta-lactose steam granules followed by PVP K12 ones, even if the reactive dimension values indicated that during the dissolution process PVP K12 granules modified the surface more than beta-lactose granules. As regards PVP K90, this excipient was the one less influencing the granule morphology and the dissolution behaviour. Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysis suggested the partial amorphisation of the drug in the granules containing the three excipients. This result was then confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Therefore, beta-lactose and PVP K12 could be proposed as useful excipients to enhance the dissolution rate of Px from granules prepared using the steam granulation technique.

Solid-state investigation of piroxicam benzoate

Solid-state properties of piroxicam benzoate, an ester prodrug of piroxicam, were investigated. Samples were prepared by recrystallization from various organic solvents (toluene, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate and acetone). Recrystallized samples were characterized by means of FTIR, DSC, TGA, SEM and XRPD. DSC, TGA and XRPD methods confirmed that piroxicam benzoate crystallized in two pseudopolymorphic forms, A and B. Pseudopolymorphic form A was obtained by recrystallization from ethanol and methanol by slow cooling at room temperature and by rapid cooling in an ice-cold bath, and also from toluene by rapid cooling in an ice-cold bath. Pseudopolymorphic form B was obtained by recrystallization from toluene by slow cooling at room temperature.

RP-HPLC study of the degradation of diclofenac and piroxicam in the presence of hydroxyl radicals

The effect of hydroxyl radical attack on two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was studied in vitro. Diclofenac and piroxicam were analysed by RP-HPLC after reaction with OH* free radicals to detect newly formed oxidation and/or degradation products. OH* free radicals were obtained by means of ferrous sulphate and ascorbic acid mixtures. During the reaction the mixtures were exposed to irradiation by a tungsten lamp to obtain an increased and more reproducible formation of hydroxyl radicals. The chromatographic profiles showed the formation of several new peaks for both diclofenac and piroxicam due to the presence of a number of degradation/oxidation products formed in the presence of OH* radicals.

Photophysical studies of oxicam group of NSAIDs: piroxicam, meloxicam and tenoxicam

Oxicam group of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been chosen as a prototype molecular group that shows diverse biological functions and dynamic structural features. Photophysical studies of three drugs from this group viz., piroxicam, meloxicam and tenoxicam have been carried out in different solvents with varying polarity, H-bond character and viscosity. The spectral responses of different prototropic forms of these drugs towards varying solvent parameters have been studied, with the aim to characterize their interaction in biomimetic environment non-invasively. The nature of the lowest transition has been identified. The extinction coefficient, quantum yield and viscosity dependence on the nature of the solvents, all indicate the extreme sensitivity of these drugs to their microenvironment.

Piroxicam benzoate--synthesis, HPLC determination, and hydrolysis

An improved method of piroxicam benzoate synthesis was described, and an isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for its determination was developed and fully validated. The method was found to be specific, precise (relative standard deviation 0.3%), accurate (mean recovery 99.9%), and robust. Limit of detection was estimated at 0.055 microg mL(-1) and limit of quantification at 0.185 microg mL(-1). The kinetics of piroxicam benzoate hydrolysis in aqueous buffer solutions (pH 1.1 and 10), simulated gastric and intestinal fluids was studied. The hydrolysis followed first-order kinetics. The following rate constants were obtained at pH 10: k = 1.8 x 10(-3) hr(-1) at 37 degrees C and k = 3.4 x 10(-2) hr(-1) at 60 degrees C. In acidic media, no significant hydrolysis was observed after 24 hr. During the 24-hr period in simulated intestinal fluid, only 10.9% of the starting ester was hydrolyzed.

Spectrophotometric and potentiometric determination of piroxicam and tenoxicam in pharmaceutical preparations

Two simple and accurate methods are described for the determination of piroxicam and tenoxicam in their pharmaceutical preparations. The spectrophotometric method involves the oxidation of these drugs with potassium iodate in acid medium with the liberation of iodine and subsequent extraction with cyclohexane followed by measuring the absorbance at lambda=522 nm. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range of 0.05-1.1 and 0.05-0.6 mg x ml(-1) for piroxicam and tenoxicam, respectively. The apparent molar absorptivities of the resulting coloured products are found to be 2.7 x 10(3) and 2.5 x 10(3) l mol(-1) x cm(-1), whereas Sandell sensitivities are 0.012 and 0.013 g x cm(-2) for piroxicam and tenoxicam, respectively. The potentiometric method involves the direct titration of both drugs with N-bromosuccinimide in acid medium and the end point is determined potentiometrically using platinum indicator electrode. Piroxicam and tenoxicam can be determined quantitatively in the concentration range of 0.33-3.37 and 0.33-4.08 mg x ml(-1) for tenoxicam and piroxicam, respectively. The standard deviation and relative standard deviation values are found to be ranged from 0.05-0.07 and 0.37-0.98% and 0.025-0.078 and 0.25-1.2% for tenoxicam and piroxicam, respectively. The two methods are accurate within +/-1.0%. Optimum conditions affecting both methods are studied. The proposed methods are applied for the determination of the drugs in pure form and in commercial pharmaceutical preparations.

Sensitive spectrophotometric methods for the determination of amoxycillin, ciprofloxacin and piroxicam in pure and pharmaceutical formulations

Two simple, sensitive and accurate spectrophotometric methods have been proposed for the determination of amoxycillin (AMX), ciprofloxacin (CPF) and piroxicam (PIR) in pure and pharmaceutical preparations. The methods are based on the measurement of absorbances of tris(o-phenanthroline) iron(II) [method A] and tris (bipyridyl) iron(II) [method B] complexes at 510 and at 522 nm, respectively. Reaction conditions have been optimized to obtain coloured complexes of higher sensitivity and longer stability. The absorbances were found to increase linearly with increase in concentrations of AMX, CPF and PIR which were corroborated by correlation coefficient values. The complexes obeyed Beer's law over the concentration range of 0.06-5.2, 0.04-7.2 and 0.2-6.5 microg ml(-1) for AMX, CPF and PIR, respectively, in method A, and of 0.05-8.5, 0.05-9.0 and 0.05-6.5 microg ml(-1) for AMX, CPF and PIR, respectively, in method B. The developed methods have been successfully applied for the determination of AMX, CPF and PIR in bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations. The common excipients and additives did not interfere in their determinations. The results obtained by the proposed methods have been statistically compared by means of Student t-test and by the variance ratio F-test.

Spectrophotometric determination of piroxicam and tenoxicam in pharmaceutical formulations using alizarin

New spectrophotometric procedures have been established for the quantitation of piroxicam and tenoxicam. The procedures are based on the reaction between the examined drug and alizarin (I), alizarin red S (II), alizarin yellow G (III) or quinalizarin (IV) producing ion-pair complexes which can be measured at the optimum wavelength. The optimization of the reaction conditions is investigated. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration ranges 0.05-2.40 microg ml(-1), whereas optimum concentration as adopted from Ringbom plots was 0.12-2.25 microg ml(-1). The molar absorptivity, Sandell sensitivity, detection and quantification limits are also calculated. The correlation coefficient was >/=0.9990 (n=10) with a relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of </=1.2, for ten determinations of 1.0 microg ml(-1). The methods are successfully applied to the determination of piroxicam and tenoxicam in their pharmaceutical formulations.

Indirect spectrophotometric determination of propranolol hydrochloride and piroxicam in pure and pharmaceutical formulations

Two simple and sensitive indirect spectrophotometric methods for the assay of propranolol hydrochloride (PPH) and piroxicam (PX) in pure and pharmaceutical formulations have been proposed. The methods are based on the oxidation of PPH by a known excess of standard N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and PX by ceric ammonium sulfate (CAS) in an acidic medium followed by the reaction of excess oxidant with promethazine hydrochloride (PMH) and methdilazine hydrochloride (MDH) to yield red-colored products. The absorbance values decreased linearly with increasing concentration of the drugs. The systems obeyed Beer's law over the concentration ranges of 0.5 - 12.5 and 0.3 - 16.0 microg/ml for PPH, and 0.4 - 7.5 and 0.2 - 10 microg/ml for PX with PMH and MDH, respectively. Molar absorptivity values, as calculated from Beer's law data, were found to be 1.36 x 10(4) and 2.55 x 10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1) for PPH, and 2.08 x 10(4) and 2.05 x 10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1) for PX with PMH and MDH, respectively. The common excipients and additives did not interfere with their determinations. The proposed methods have been successfully applied to the determinations of PPH and PX in various dosage forms. The results obtained by the proposed methods compare favorably with those of official methods.

Determination of the free/included piroxicam ratio in cyclodextrin complexes: comparison between UV spectrophotometry and differential scanning calorimetry

Few analytical techniques allow to evaluate the inclusion yield of cyclodextrin-drug complexes, because most manufacturing processes give amorphous products. In this study, we have developed an alternative method to differential scanning calorimetry, to accurately determine the free/complexed piroxicam ratio by UV spectroscopy. This method is based on the differential solubility of the piroxicam-beta-cyclodextrin 1:2.5 mol/mol complex in water-acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) (Solvent A) or in anhydrous acetonitrile (Solvent B), both containing 0.05 M HCl. In anhydrous acetonitrile, beta-cyclodextrin is insoluble and the included drug remains entrapped, allowing the free piroxicam determination, while with 50% of water, the complex is totally dissolved, allowing the determination of the total guest content. This method was validated for linearity, precision and accuracy. The presence of cyclodextrin does not influence the assays, but more than 0.5% of water in Solvent B significantly affects the determination of the free piroxicam content. In comparison with differential scanning calorimetry, both detectability and precision were improved. It is now possible to analyse complexes with an inclusion purity greater than 99%.

Determination of piroxicam by solid-phase spectrophotometry in a continuous flow system

A simple flow injection UV spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of piroxicam. The method is based on its transient retention and concentration on Sephadex DEAE-A-25 anion-exchange gel beads packed in the flow cell and the continuous monitoring of its native absorbance on the solid phase at 354 nm. The sample was injected into a 0.1 M NaCl carrier stream at pH 9.5 by using a simple monochannel FIA manifold. When the analytical signal reached a maximum value, piroxicam was eluted from the solid support by means of a desorbing solution (0.2 M, pH 4.5). The response of the sensor was linear in the concentration range 0.5-10 microg ml(-1) with a R.S.D. (%) of 1.8, a detection limit (3 sigma criterion) of 0.1 microg ml(-1) and a sampling rate of 13 h(-1). Application to the analysis of pharmaceutical samples testifies to the utility of this sensor. The accuracy of the proposed method was better than 5%.

Liquid chromatographic determination of amphotericin B in different pharmaceuticals

Amphotericin B (AmB) is one of the most potent antifungal agents and the drug of choice in the treatment of serious fungal infections. A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed to determine AmB in pharmaceutical formulations for injection, tissue culture, cream, and lotion. pBondapak C18 reversed-phase column and a simple mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water-acetic acid (40 + 54 + 6, v/v) was used. The flow rate was 1.8 mL/min and the effluent was monitored at 405 nm. The developed LC method uses piroxicam as an internal standard and has a limit of detection of 10 ng/mL, a limit of quantitation of 30 ng/mL, and the assay is linear from 0.01 to 100 microg/mL. AmB and piroxicam elute with retention times of 12.4 and 4.0 min, respectively, and the resolution between AmB and piroxicam was 10.6. In comparison with the official United States Pharmacopeia microbial assay for AmB, this LC method is more rapid, selective, sensitive, and offers positive identification.

Quantitative determination of piroxicam in a new formulation (piroxicam-beta-cyclodextrin) by derivative UV spectrophotometric method and HPLC

A derivative ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric method for the determination of piroxicam in piroxicam--beta-cyclodextrin tablets was developed. Phosphate buffer (pH 7.8, 0.1 M) and ethanol were used as a solvent system throughout the study. In this study, determination of piroxicam was conducted by using first order derivative amplitudes at 261.4 nm (n=4). Standards for the calibration graph ranging from 2.40 to 20.0 microg/ml were prepared from working standard. The proposed method is accurate with 99.70%+/-0.50 recovery value and precise with coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.29. The results were compared with those obtained using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure. A reversed-phase C(18) column with aqueous phosphate buffer:methanol, 60:40, v/v, mobile phase was used. UV detector was set at 254 nm. Calibration solutions used in HPLC were ranging from 5 to 20 microg/ml. Results obtained in HPLC were comparable to those obtained by derivative UV spectrophotometric method.

Stability indicating HPTLC determination of piroxicam

A rapid and sensitive HPTLC method was developed and validated for the estimation of Piroxicam (PM). Spectrodensitometric scanning-integration was performed at an absorbance wavelength of 360 nm. To justify the suitability, accuracy and precision of the proposed method, recovery studies were performed at three concentration levels. One of the degradation products of PM is 2-aminopyridine (2AP). It becomes imperative to separate this compound as it is a precursor during synthesis of the drug. A TLC aluminium plate precoated with silica gel 60F-254 was used as the stationary phase. The solvent system toluene-acetic acid (8:2 v/v) gave a dense and compact spot of PM with a Rf value of 0.58 +/- 0.01 which was well separated from 2AP (Rf 0.23 +/- 0.01). The polynomial regression data for the calibration plots exhibited good linear relationship (coefficient of correlation r = 0.9982) over a concentration range of 400-800 ng. Statistical analysis proves that the proposed method is accurate and reproducible. The method is stability indicating and being economical can be employed for the routine analysis in bulk drug as well as pharmaceutical formulations.

Flow-injection spectrophotometric methods for the determination of tenoxicam

Two sensitive and rapid flow-injection spectrophotometric methods are proposed for the determination of tenoxicam (TX). In the first method, a Fe(III)-tenoxicam complex is formed in a methanolic medium and the absorbance is measured at 540 nm, while the second method involves measurement of the absorbance at 355 nm of a solution containing the drug in hydrochloric acid medium. In both methods, the peak heights were proportional to tenoxicam concentration over the ranges 7.0-320 and 0.5-8.5 mg/l(-1), respectively. The methods have been applied to the routine determination of the drug in dosage forms.

Stability indicating assays for the determination of piroxicam--comparison of methods

Photodegradation of piroxicam, a 1,2-benzothiazine oxicam, is studied laying special emphasis on the investigation of the correlation between concentration of the sample solution and stability. A comparison of three different methods (HPTLC/densitometry, HPLC, CE) developed for the photostability testing of the title compound is presented. The stability indicating capability of the assays is proved using forced degradation by exposing a sample solution to artificial irradiation from a xenon source. The chromatograms and the electropherogram of the resulting solution show piroxicam well resolved from the degradation products. For quantitation external calibration is employed, all calibration curves being linear in the respective concentration range of interest. Piroxicam solutions of three different concentrations (2 mg ml(-1); 250 microg ml(-1); 40 microg ml(-1)) are subjected to simulated sunlight for 480 min. The stability is investigated by quantitation of piroxicam by the methods mentioned. The methods are compared in respect of performance and precision. Costs and time of analysis are regarded also.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination with amperometric detection of piroxicam in human plasma and tissues

After repeated topical application of a piroxicam gel preparation to the knee, piroxicam was quantified in plasma, subcutaneous tissue, synovial capsule and synovial fluid, using specimens obtained during knee surgery. Electrochemical detection was used and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.72 ng/ml in plasma at a signal-to-noise ratio of 10:1. The chromatographic method was optimised to determine piroxicam in all four matrices, and the analyte was quantified using a calibration line constructed from plasma calibration standards. Levels in subcutaneous tissue, synovial capsule and synovial fluid were compared to plasma steady-state levels and expressed as a ratio, in order to ascertain bioavailability.

Stability study of piroxicam and cinnoxicam in solid pharmaceuticals

The pseudo-first order rate constant for the hydrolysis of cinnoxicam as a function of temperature was obtained by variable-temperature kinetic experiments. The method used is on a generalization of non-isothermal analysis, and takes advantage of the capabilities of modern data collection and processing systems. A spectrophotometric method under non isothermal conditions was carried out. The results obtained are identical to those obtained under the same conditions by using traditional constant-temperature kinetic runs. This provides the possibility of reducing the amount of time spent and chemicals usually used in collecting kinetic data in mechanistic studies in solution by an order of magnitude.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of piroxicam in the presence and absence of beta-cyclodextrin

The complexation between beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and piroxicam (PX) was investigated by both fluorescence and absorption spectrometry. A 1:2 guest:host stoichiometry for the complex was established, and its association constant was calculated by applying a non-linear regression method to the changes brought about by the presence of beta-CD in both the fluorescence and absorbance spectra of PX. During the study of the influence of the pH on the fluorescence emission of the complex, an efficient enhancement of the signals at acidic pH was observed. This suggests that the protonated form of PX is included more effectively than the ionized form in the beta-CD cavity. Based on the results obtained, spectrofluorimetric methods for the determination of PX were developed. The best limits of detection and quantification were obtained using beta-CD at an acidic pH. The dynamic range in this latter case was 0.02-1 microgram ml-1. The method was applied satisfactorily to the determination of piroxicam in a pharmaceutical preparation.

Spectrofluorometric determination of piroxicam

The spectrofluorometric determination of piroxicam [4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)-2II-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxam ide-1, 1-dioxide] in pharmaceutical tablets is described. It involves excitation at 330 nm of an acid solution (HNO3 0.5 M) of the drug, and measurement of the fluorescence intensity at 440 nm. The linear range is 0.01-1.25 micrograms ml-1.

Determination of the novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug lornoxicam and its main metabolite in plasma and synovial fluid

A rapid and sensitive HPLC method for the determination of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug lornoxicam in plasma samples of humans and laboratory animals is described. After addition of the internal standard (tenoxicam) the plasma sample is acidified and extracted either by dichloromethane via Extrelut columns or by solid-phase extraction using C18 columns. After evaporation of the solvent the separation is performed on a C18 column in isocratic mode with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.0)-methanol and detection at 372 nm. The limit of determination was set to 10 ng/ml using 0.5 ml of sample but can be extended down to 2.0 ng/ml plasma. Using solid-phase extraction with C18 columns both lornoxicam and its main metabolite 5'-hydroxylornoxicam can be determined while extraction via Extrelut was used in studies where only lornoxicam was to be determined. This method was used successfully in several thousand samples of pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies in animals and in humans.

Simultaneous determination of tenoxicam and 2-aminopyridine using derivative spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography

Derivative spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to determine tenoxicam and one of its decomposition products (2-aminopyridine) simultaneously and in the presence of each other. The derivative procedure was based on the linear relationship between the tenoxicam concentration and the second derivative amplitudes at 390-348 nm (peak-to-trough) measurement. The 2-aminopyridine was determined through measuring the second derivative amplitude at 241 nm (zero-crossing for tenoxicam). For the HPLC procedure, a reversed-phase C8 column with a mobile phase composed of 0.02 M sodium acetate-methanol-acetonitrile (11:8:1) with 0.005 M heptane sulfonic acid sodium salt, as an ion pair, was used to separate both compounds with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene, as an internal standard, in reasonable time. The flow rate was 1.5 ml min-1 with a programmable ultraviolet (UV) detection at 300 and 375 nm. Both UV derivative spectrophotometric and HPLC approaches were followed for confirming the purity of tenoxicam in bulk and tablets dosage form.

Lymph distribution of different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs assessed by microsurgical cannulation of the thoracic duct in rat

The motility of lymphatic vessels is regulated by arachidonate metabolites and, therefore, can be altered by cyclo-oxygenase blockers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In order to investigate the lymphotropic properties of different NSAIDs, pharmacokinetics in plasma and lymph following intragastric administration of three model compounds, namely racemic ibuprofen, tenoxicam and nabumetone, were investigated in rats. Microsurgical cannulation of the thoracic duct allowed cumulative sampling of lymph fluid up to 48 hrs (n = 16). Pharmacokinetic parameters in plasma were determined in a control group (n = 12). Concentrations of R-, S-ibuprofen, tenoxicam, nabumetone and the metabolites OH-ibuprofen, COOH-ibuprofen and 6-methoxy-2-naphthyl-acetic acid (6MNA, metabolite of nabumetone) were monitored in lymph and plasma by HPLC. To quantify the lymphotropic properties of the investigated compounds, a "lymphatic clearance" was defined by dividing the amount recovered in lymph fluid by the corresponding area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUCP). The "lymphatic clearance" substantially differed between the investigated compounds (mean +/- SD: R-ibuprofen 6.71 +/- 3.15 microliters/min, S-ibuprofen 3.24 +/- 1.20 microliters/min, tenoxicam 8.74 +/- 8.11 microliters/min, nabumetone 46.05 +/- 26.08 microliters/min and 6MNA 6.32 +/- 2.96 microliters/min). The overall recovery of the investigated compounds in lymph did not exceed 5% of the doses given. The known fact that lymphatic drainage is regulated by arachidonate metabolites might suggest that NSAIDs differing in their lymphotropic properties could result in different responses of lymphatic vessels to an inflammatory fluid load.

Extractionless high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of piroxicam and 5'-hydroxypiroxicam in human plasma and urine

A simple and rapid (extractionless) high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection, at 330 nm, was developed for the simultaneous determination of piroxicam and its major metabolite, 5'-hydroxypiroxicam, in human plasma and urine. Acidified plasma and alkali-treated urine samples are used and naproxen is added as internal standard. The separation is performed at 40 degrees C on a C18 Spherisorb column with acetonitrile--0.1 M sodium acetate (33:67, v/v, pH 3.3) as mobile phase. The retention time is 2.2 min for 5'-hydroxypiroxicam, 2.6 min for piroxicam and 3.2 min for naproxen. The detection limit is 0.05 micrograms/ml using a 100-microliters loop.

Control of the chondrocyte fibrinolytic balance by the drug piroxicam: relevance to the osteoarthritic process

OBJECTIVE

Since the plasminogen activator [PA/plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) system is believed to be involved in a breakdown of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA), we studied the modulation of single components of the fibrinolytic system (urokinase-type plasminogen activator, u-PA; plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, PAI-1; the surface receptor for u-PA, u-PAR) in human chondrocytes in the presence of piroxicam.

METHODS

The drug was added to the chondrocyte culture medium either directly or by supplementing chondrocyte cultures with synovial fluid (SF) from patients with OA treated with piroxicam. We have shown u-PAR M(r) 55000 Da on human chondrocytes in suspension culture by cross linking chondrocyte lysates with 125I-labelled amino-terminal fragment (ATF) of human u-PA, which frames the sequence that specifically interacts with u-PAR.

RESULTS

Such receptors decrease upon incubation of chondrocytes with piroxicam or with SF from patients treated with piroxicam. The culture medium of treated chondrocytes showed decreased fibrinolytic activity when compared with untreated controls, while PAI activity was increased in both SF chondrocyte culture medium following piroxicam treatment. At the same time, internalization of u-PA/u-PAR complexes increased after incubation of chondrocytes with piroxicam or PAI-1 rich SF.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the drug induces the surface clearance u-PAR by internalization of u-PA/PAI-/u-PAR complexes. Thus piroxicam reduces both the soluble fibrinolytic activity of human chondrocytes (increase of PAI activity and decrease of released u-PA) and the cell associated u-PA activity (clearance of u-PAR by internalization). The drug dependent changes in the fibrinolytic system suggest that piroxicam may be useful in preventing or limiting perilacunar cartilage damage in OA.

The determination of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in pharmaceuticals by capillary zone electrophoresis and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, piroxicam and diclofenac have been quantified in dragees, suspension, suppositories, capsules, injection solutions and tablets by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC). The experiments were performed without specific sample pretreatment. The reproducibility of the method was investigated. Good quantitation was obtained in short analysis times. CE and MEKC are found to offer a good alternative to conventional HPLC methods.

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of piroxicam

Two flow-injection analysis (FIA) methods are proposed for the determination of piroxicam. The first involves measurement of the UV absorbance of a solution containing the drug, methanol and hydrochloric acid at 332 nm; in the second method a Fe(III)-piroxicam complex is formed in a methanolic medium and the absorbance is measured at 520 nm. In both methods, the peak height is used as a quantitative parameter and piroxicam is determined over the ranges 0.5-15 and 30-500 microgram ml-1, respectively. The methods have been applied to the routine determination of the drug in dosage forms.

Coulometric determination of some antiinflammatory compounds

A method is presented for the chlorocoulometric assay of small amounts of piroxicam and tenoxicam. This assay is carried out directly by coulometrically titrating the investigated substances with electrogenerated chloride in the presence of methyl orange as indicator. Results are accurate and reproducible. The method can be applied for routine analysis of these substances.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of piroxicam and tenoxicam in plasma, blood and buffer solution. Application to pharmacokinetic studies in small laboratory animals

A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure is described for the simultaneous determination of piroxicam (CAS 36322-90-4) and tenoxicam (CAS 59804-37-4) in blood, plasma and buffer solutions used in the equilibrium dialysis studies. The method can be used to measure either piroxicam and tenoxicam in these three fluids using the other as internal standard. A Nucleosil C18 and a mobile phase consisting of an acetonitrile-distilled water-acetic acid (58 : 38 : 4) mixture were used. The flow rate was 1 ml/min and the effluent was monitored at 365 nm with 0.02 AUFS (absorbance units full scale). The sensitivities of this method were 0.2 microgram/ml levels of piroxicam and tenoxicam in the plasma, blood and buffer solutions samples.

Rapid and sensitive determination of piroxicam in rat plasma, muscle and skin by high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid and precise high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of piroxicam in a variety of biological samples has been developed. A reversed-phase column, isocratic elution and ultraviolet detection were employed. Calibration curves were reproducible and highly linear, with correlation coefficients typically averaging over 0.992. The detection limit of the assay was 100 ng/ml for all biological samples examined (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1). Validation of the method demonstrated a good sensitivity, accuracy and precision. The method has been adopted for a pharmacokinetic study in rats.

Determination of piroxicam and its major metabolites in the plasma, urine and bile of humans by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection is described for the determination of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam and its major metabolites in human plasma, urine and bile. Separation of these components occurs on a reversed phase C10CN column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water-sodium dihydrogenphosphate solution. The detection limit of the assay was 50 ng/ml with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation for piroxicam of the order of 2 and 5%, respectively. The assay linearity was good (typically r = 0.9999). This method can be readily utilised for clinical pharmacokinetic and mass-balance studies.

Hydrophobicity-dependent fluorescence properties and intracellular fluorospectroscopic behavior of phototoxic drugs

Fluorospectroscopic behavior of chlorpromazine, mequitazine, afloqualone and piroxicam, which are known to induce skin photosensitivity, was examined in both homogeneous solutions and human buccal mucosal cells. Each drug showed large Stokes' shifts and their fluorescence intensities increased in hydrophobic solvents. These results indicated that the drugs tested can be used as hydrophobic fluorescence probes. Fluorescence microscopic observations of buccal mucosal cells treated with these drugs showed that all the drugs, especially chlorpromazine and mequitazine, were distributed in intracellular membranous regions.