Current Analytical Chemistry - Current Issue

This review article aims to provide crucial insights related to the chemistry, pharmacology and analytical techniques associated with Lobeglitazone, a promising anti-diabetic molecule. Diabetes is a chronic ailment which hinders the normal functioning of beta pancreatic cells due to which the pancreas becomes incapable of producing sufficient amount of insulin or the body is not able to utilize the insulin that is produced by the beta-pancreatic cells. Lobeglitazone is a novel thiazolidinedione class of drug approved for type-II diabetes management by regulatory agencies in South Korea and India. The molecule has the potential to replace pioglitazone for the treatment of type-II diabetes due to its lower effective dose (0.5 mg) and better safety profile.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using sources like PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The review focused on chemistry, pharmacology, efficacy, safety, and advancements in analytical techniques for Lobeglitazone estimation in biological samples, bulk, and dosage forms.

Lobeglitazone exhibits potent therapeutic efficacy in treating type-II diabetes with fewer adverse effects compared to previous thiazolidinedione drugs. It demonstrates a better safety profile, especially in terms of cardiovascular risk. However, current analytical methods for lobeglitazone rely on solvents that do not adhere to green chemistry principles, highlighting the need for eco-friendly alternatives.

Lobeglitazone holds substantial potential to replace older thiazolidinedione drugs due to its lower effective dose and improved safety profile. Future research should focus on developing sustainable analytical methods that align with green chemistry principles, further reinforcing its role in diabetes management.

Copper, a precious metal in e-waste, presents a substantial economic opportunity. The study estimates that ~322000 tons of copper are discarded annually worldwide as e-waste. Given the significant financial value of copper, its recovery from e-waste is beneficial and crucial. This process also plays a pivotal role in waste management and recycling of hazardous waste. The potential reduction in e-waste in landfills is a direct result of this strategic approach to waste management, offering a more sustainable and optimistic outlook for the future. This research paves the way for a future where e-waste is no longer a burden on our environment.

This study is structured around a robust two-step process. It begins with an experiment focused on copper recovery using hydrometallurgical methods. The modeling leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques to predict copper recovery from e-waste. This innovative approach not only promises but also has the potential to revolutionize the field of copper recovery, inspiring further innovation and progress.

The model was developed using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and a Boosting Algorithm (BA). Based on four crucial variables (H2SO4, H2O2, Solid/Liquid ratio, and Reaction Time), this model provides a comprehensive understanding of Cu recovery. H2SO4 is a crucial component during the leaching process; H2O2 facilitates Cu oxidation, the Solid/Liquid ratio affects the efficiency, and Reaction Time determines the completion of the process. The ANN and BA-based models yield satisfactory results in Cu recovery, achieving over 94% yield under optimized conditions.

The model developed in this study can potentially revolutionize copper recovery. By automating the process, we can significantly reduce the stress of copper mining, which relieves the environment. We can also promote a circular economy, offering a promising future for sustainable copper recovery. This could be a game-changer in the field of waste management and recycling.

Detection and determination of ascorbic acid (AA) or vitamin C as a potent antioxidant substrate in commercial samples have an emerging significance. In relation to the colorimetry of ascorbic acid, the use of organometallic networks as enzyme peroxidase mimics has been reported many times, which is not cost-effective for commercialization. Therefore, this research, for the first time, examined the peroxidase behavior using garlic extract without additional extraction and purification steps. Peroxidase behavior was examined to measure ascorbic acid.

In this research work, firstly, allium sativum (AS) extract was prepared simply by crushing, stirring, and sonicating garlic bulbs in water. It exhibited peroxidase activity, which enabled the oxidation of 3, 30, 5, and 50-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2 to generate blue-colored oxidized TMB (ox-TMB) with a sharp absorption peak at 6526 nm. In continuation, the ox-TMB could be reduced by the addition of AA to the TMB+H2O2 system, leading to a decrease in absorbance and the fading of the blue color. Determination performance was accomplished after optimization of several factors, such as pH, time, TMB, and AS concentration.

The results showed that the decrease in absorbance (ΔA) after AA addition was in a good linear relationship with AA concentration in the range of 9.46-155.24 µM, with a low detection limit of 0.0223 µM. The feasibility of this approach was also assayed in commercial orange drinks and effervescent tablets of vitamin C with a 97.70%-110.17% recovery.

Finally, a sensitive and simple colorimetric sensor for the detection of AA using AS extract as a biocatalyst was developed.

Despite the widespread use of Ephedra altissima plant in traditional Algerian medicine, the biological potential of this species has still not been well explored.

This study, for the first time, focused on determining the effect of extraction methods and solvents on the phenolic content and antioxidant ability of the aerial part of Ephedra altissima.

Extraction was carried out by maceration and Soxhlet using the solvents H2O, Methanol/H2O and Petroleum ether. The chemical profile of E. altissima was determined by a qualitative HPLC/UV–Visible, and the antioxidant potential was evaluated by in vitro and in-silico studies.

The aqueous extract obtained by maceration exhibited the greatest total phenol content, while the petroleum ether prepared by Soxhlet extraction demonstrated the highest total flavonoid and condensed tannin contents. The HPLC profile showed the presence of a variety of phenolic compounds. The in-vitro assay results indicated good antioxidant potential. Gallic acid and sinapic acid were highlighted as the most potent antioxidants in the Soxhlet hydro-methanolic and petroleum ether extracts, respectively, according to the machine learning model. Molecular docking predicted the possible antioxidant potential of E. altissima phytocompounds by the interaction with human peroxiredoxin 5, and epicatechin was the most effective ligand. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the epicatechin-Prdx5 complex. Multivariate analysis was used to categorize the Ephedra altissima extracts into three groups according to their phenolic compound content and in vitro antioxidant ability.

Overall, the results of the present study revealed that the choice of solvent and extraction technique directly influence the biomolecule content and bioactivity of Ephedra altissima aerial part extracts.

Nausea and vomiting are common responses to various factors like gastrointestinal disorders, motion sickness, pregnancy, medications, infections, and severe pain. Treatment includes antiemetic medications, hydration, dietary adjustments, rest, and, in severe cases, medical intervention to address underlying causes.

The present research aims at formulating buccal Promethazine with polymers like HPMC E15 and sodium alginate hence relief from the condition of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

A variety of PMT buccal films (PBF), comprising varying HPMC E15 and sodium alginate, incorporating PMT (25 mg) in keeping with the method recommended via Design Expert Software, have been fabricated using the solvent casting approach. The design expert software 11.0 trial version was used for statistical analysis of the responses.

The results showed PMT's compatibility with excipients, preserving the drug's functional groups. The films were neutral, and flexible, with uniform thickness and good swelling, especially in sodium alginate-rich films. They had consistent drug content, and mucoadhesion time and strength increased with HPMC E15 concentration. In vitro tests revealed a 40% burst release in 10 minutes, followed by varied release rates based on polymer composition.

The optimized buccal films showed greater flexibility and a promising balance between swelling, which is necessary for drug release, and mucoadhesion, which prolongs mucosal contact. The buccal films' optimized features suggest that controlled and prolonged release could improve Promethazine absorption and therapeutic efficacy. The ease of administration and longer mucosal retention period may improve patient compliance and experience.

In this study, the contents of essential and non-essential elements in the sugary and sugar-free varieties of aromatic coffees produced in Turkey were decided, and the effect of sugar addition was examined.

For this purpose, essential (Mg, Se, B, Na, Ca, K, Co, Cr, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mo, P and Zn) and non-essential (As, Ba, Al, Cd, Ti, Ni, Sb and Pb) element contents of the aromatic coffees (sugary and sugar-free) (Classic, Gum Mastic, Gum Mastic Turkish Coffee, Hazelnut, Caramel and Turkish Coffee) supplied from a single brand were detected by using ICP-OES. The effects of the elements taken into the body by the consumption of coffee varieties on health and how much of an individual’s daily requirements are met were investigated. Thus, the place and importance of coffee consumption in nutrition have been determined. For coffee consumption of 3 cups, the intake amounts of selected elements were calculated. Furthermore, a risk assessment study was performed by utilizing the non-essential element concentrations of selected coffees.

Experimental results showed that K is the most ample essential element in all types of coffee, and it has been proven that K ingestion encounters the daily requirement of 1% to 2% for adults.

According to the risk assessment results, the hazard index was calculated for 3 cups of each coffee type intake as less than 1, and these coffees may be classified in the low-risk group.

L-cysteine (L-Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy) are the most representative of biothiol, which exist widely in organisms. L-Cys is one of the essential amino acids, which can be absorbed from protein-rich food and plays a considerable role in various physiological processes. Hcy is a vital intermediate in normal mammalian metabolism of methionine but does not occur in the diet. Therefore, it is significant to exploit a rapid and sensitive strategy to measure L-Cys and Hcy.

Herein, we designed an “on-on” fluorescent platform for detecting L-Cys and Hcy with gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) as probes. During the sensing process, cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) acted as mediating substances to connected AuNCs and L-Cys (or Hcy), and triggered aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect.

The linear ranges achieved with fluorimetry of L-Cys and Hcy were 0.1-10.0 μM and 0.1-20.0 μM, respectively. Moreover, this fluorescent probe was successfully used to determine the L-Cys concentration in actual samples, and showed excellent recovery.

Furthermore, the mechanism for sensing L-Cys and Hcy has been exhaustively investigated.

PYX-201 is an Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) composed of a fully human IgG1 antibody, a cleavable linker mcValCitPABC, and toxic auristatin payloads Aur0101, with a drug antibody ratio (DAR) of approximately 4. PYX-201 is a promising candidate for oncology treatment because it targets the extra domain B splice variant of fibronectin (EDB + FN), which is expressed at low levels in normal adult tissues while at moderate or high levels in various human solid tumors.

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay was developed and validated for the detection (screening, confirmatory, and titration) of antibodies to an ADC PYX-201 in human plasma. Anti-PYX-201 antibodies were captured by biotinylated PYX-201 (Bio-PYX-201) and detected by ruthenylated PYX-201 (Ru-PYX-201) on a Meso Sector imager S 600 or 6000 reader.

The screening cut-point factor (SCPF), confirmatory cut-point (CCP), and titration cut-point factor (TCPF) were found to be 1.11, 20.7%, and 1.23, respectively. Sensitivity was determined to be 2.25 ng/mL in the screening assay and 5.34 ng/mL in the confirmatory assay for anti-PYX-201 antibodies. Sensitivity was determined to be 7.70 ng/mL in the confirmatory assay for anti-PYX-201 monoclonal antibody (mAb) antibodies. The positive controls (PCs) were set at the following levels: low positive control (LPC) at 14.0 ng/mL, medium positive control (MPC) at 100 ng/mL, and high positive control (HPC) at 5,000 ng/mL. The drug tolerance was up to 200 µg/mL at the HPC level, up to 100 µg/mL at the MPC level, and 0 µg/mL at the LPC level. The intra-assay percent coefficient of variation (%CV) was ≤ 4.5% for PCs in the screening assay and ≤ 11.5% for PCs in the confirmatory assay. The inter-assay %CV was ≤ 13.6% for PCs in the screening assay and ≤ 19.2% for PCs in the confirmatory assay. No hook effect, hemolysis effect, or lipemia effect was found in this ADA method. Anti-PYX-201 antibodies were found stable in human plasma for at least 24 hours at room temperature or after six freeze/thaw cycles.

Anti-PYX-201 ADA bioanalytical method validation was reported for the first time in any biological matrix. This ADA method has been successfully applied to human sample analysis to support a clinical study.

The most common use of cysteamine is the treatment of cystinosis. Excessive intake of cysteamine can lead to serious side effects and health complications. Therefore, the monitoring of cysteamine levels is highly significant.

Several techniques have been developed to measure cysteamine accurately. Many of these methods are constrained by various limitations, including labor-intensive pre-treatment procedures, sophisticated equipment, skilled operators, and costly consumables. The present study aims to fabricate a cysteamine-selective potentiometric sensor based on HKUST-1 metal-organic framework exhibiting a wider linear range and more sensitive potentiometric responses compared to the ion pair-based cysteamine-selective sensor that was developed previously.

A novel PVC membrane cysteamine-selective sensor was fabricated by coating the membrane cocktail consisting of poly(vinyl chloride), HKUST-1 metal-organic framework, plasticizer (o-nitrophenyloctylether), and ionic additive (potassium tetrakis (4-chlorophenyl) borate) onto the conductive solid contact surface. The potentiometric performance characteristics of the sensor were evaluated in detail.

The sensor exhibits a linear response to cysteamine concentration in the range of 1.0×10⁻⁶ M -1.0×10⁻² M (R²=0.9958) with a slope of 51.5 mV/decade and a detection limit of 8.0×10^-7 M. It operates effectively within a pH range of 3.9-5.7 and displays a rapid response time.

Compared to the cysteamine-selective sensor available in the literature, the current sensor stands out with its wider linear operating range and lower detection limit. The sensor consistently yields reproducible and stable potentiometric responses towards cysteamine. The fabricated cysteamine-selective sensor effectively quantifies cysteamine content in pharmaceutical formulations.