Current Pharmaceutical Analysis - Volume 20, Issue 3, 2024

Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful analytical tool with diverse applications in pharmaceutical and bio-allied sciences. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the extensive utility of UV-Vis spectroscopy, emphasizing its pivotal role in characterizing and analyzing various compounds critical for drug development and bio-allied research. In the pharmaceutical sector, UV-Vis spectroscopy is a fundamental technique for quantifying the concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in formulations. Its non-destructive nature and high sensitivity make it an indispensable tool for quality control, ensuring the consistency and potency of pharmaceutical products. Furthermore, this technique has been employed in the study of drug-receptor interactions to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects. In bio-allied applications, UV-Vis spectroscopy is used to analyze biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, and enzymes. This technique allows for the study of protein conformational changes, DNA structure, and enzymatic activity, offering crucial insights into fundamental biological processes. Additionally, UV-Vis spectroscopy aids in determining biomarker concentrations, assisting in the early diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases. This article also explores recent advancements in UV-Vis spectroscopy, including the integration of nanomaterials and computational approaches to enhance sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, it discusses the potential of UV-Vis spectroscopy in emerging areas such as personalized medicine and point- of-care diagnostics. As technology continues to evolve, UV-Visible spectroscopy is poised to significantly contribute to the ever-expanding landscape of pharmaceutical and bio-related research.

Background: Salvia species known as "Sage" are among the important aromatic plants used in the world. This study, it was investigated the antioxidant capacity of Salvia cadmica and to investigate its protective effect on oxidative damage in t-BHP-induced fibroblast cells. Methods: Antioxidant activity and phenolic characterization of the extract were evaluated using DPPH, TPC, TFC, FRAP, and HPLC, respectively.TAS, TOS, MDA and 8-oxo-guanine, CAT, SOD, and GPx values were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antiproliferative and apoptosis effects of Salvia cadmica ethanolic extract were determined using XTT assay and fluorescent probes in fibroblast cells. Results: As a result of GC-MS analysis of Salvia cadmica ethanolic extract, carvacrol content was found to be high. The IC50 value of the DPPH antioxidant assay of the Salvia cadmica ethanolic extract was 80 ± 0.51 μg/mL. TPC, TFC, and FRAP values were found to be 18.25 ± 0.64 (mg gallic acid/g powder), 1.691±0.314 (mg quercetin /g powder), 31.5 ± 0.10 (mg Trolox/g powder), respectively. Total antioxidant and TOS values were found to be 0.383±0.033 (mmol Trolox Equ L^-1), 16.31±0.71 (μmol H2O2 L^-1) for 0.25 mg/mL, and 0.725±0.05 (mmol Trolox Equ L^-1), 12.02 ±0.56 (μmol H2O2 L^-1) for 0.5 mg/mL. In addition, while CAT and GPx significantly decreased enzyme activities, no significant change was observed in SOD enzyme activity. Ethanolic Salvia cadmica extract exhibited apoptotic features compared to only the t-BHP group. Conclusion: These results suggest that Slavica cadmica extract works through a free radical mechanism.

Background: Antiviral drugs can cure more than 95 percent of people with hepatitis C, but the inaccessibility of quality affordable medicines and the lack of their uninterrupted supply poses a major challenge. Impurities in drugs have a significant impact on their quality and are one of the substantial causes of drug recalls, ultimately leading to the unavailability of the drug in the market. Hence, there is a need for a robust, quality risk management and quality by design-driven analytical method that can detect the antiviral drug, Daclatasvir dihydrochloride, in the presence of its probable impurities. Objective: This study aimed to develop a Quality by Design-driven stability- indicating liquid chromatography method for Daclatasvir dihydrochloride and the characterization of its putative degradants by LC-MS. Method: The fishbone diagram and quality risk assessment investigated twenty-four process parameters and concluded that three risk parameters,i.e., flow rate, buffer pH, and stationary phase type, were the critical process parameters. The critical quality attributes viz. resolution between impurity 6 and DCV and impurity 2 & 3 (Rs#131;1.5), the shape of the peak of DCV which is decided by the Number of Theoretical Plates (NTP#131;5000), and the retention time of Daclatasvir (tR14-23 mins) were optimized using a two-level three-factor full factorial design with five center points. Results: The optimized method is stability-indicating in its true sense as it can separate the sample with its degradants generated in basic (three), acidic (two), oxidative (H2O2: three, Azobisisobutyronitrile: one), photo (three), and dry heat (one) conditions. Degradants structures were elucidated, and degradation routes were established, using LC-MS and LC-MS/MS analyses. Conclusion: The drug is highly susceptible to acid, base hydrolysis, and oxidation degradation conditions and poses a significant risk to the analytical method to fail in system suitability criteria. Hence, a robust and flexible chromatographic method with the capacity for continuous improvement was developed and successfully validated within the criteria of design space.

Background: The Pheretima aspergillum decoction is a traditional therapeutic form, while the formula granules are produced through traditional Chinese medicine decoctions. However, the active ingredients in Pheretima aspergillum have not been fully elucidated, and no published reports have investigated the differences between Pheretima aspergillum decoction and formula granules. Objective: The study aimed to explore the potential bioactive peptides in Pheretima aspergillum decoction and formula granules and investigate their potential pharmacological mechanisms in alleviating inflammation associated with asthma through interaction with the IΚBα/NF-ΚB p65 complex. Methods: μLC-Q Exactive MS combined with de novo sequencing technology was employed to identify potential bioactive peptides in Pheretima aspergillum decoction and formula granules. Deep learning models were utilized to evaluate the bioactivity and toxicity of these peptides. Further investigations included molecular docking studies aimed at uncovering the interactions between the selected peptides and the IΚBβ/NF-ΚB p65 complex at affinity and critical residue sites. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to assess the stability of the peptide-receptor complexes. Results: A total of 2,235 peptides from the Pheretima aspergillum decoction and 1,424 peptides from the Pheretima aspergillum formula granules were identified. Deep learning models resulted in the identification of 298 bioactive and non-toxic peptides from the decoction and 145 from the formula granules. Molecular docking revealed that 160 peptides from the decoction and 63 from the formula granules exhibited a strong affinity for the IΚBβ/NF-ΚB p65 complex. The results of molecular dynamics simulations supported the stability of the interactions involving the peptide EGPANFADLGK from the decoction and the peptide KAAVDFGVPGDAGALAHLK from the formula granules with the IΚBβ/NF-ΚB p65 complex. In conclusion, potential bioactive peptides were identified in both Pheretima aspergillum decoction and formula granules. Conclusion: This study has investigated the potential pharmacological mechanisms of peptides derived from Pheretima aspergillum decoction and formula granules in alleviating inflammation associated with asthma through the interaction of the IΚBβ/NF-ΚB p65 complex, providing a basis for elucidating the molecular mechanism of action for the treatment of asthma.

Background: The reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the quantitative measurement of monoclonal antibodies (Maftivimab, Atoltivimab, and Odesivimab) in the pharmaceutical dosage form. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved these monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of Zaire ebolavirus infection in adults. Methods: Maftivimab, Atoltivimab, and Odesivimab were separated chromatographically on the Waters Alliance-e2695 platform using the Luna Phenyl Hexyl (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column and a mobile phase made up of Acetonitrile (ACN) and ortho-phosphoric acid (OPA) buffer in a ratio of 70:30 (v/v). Results: The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, and a photodiode array (PDA) detector operating at room temperature was used to measure absorption at 282 nm. For Maftivimab, Atoltivimab, and Odesivimab, the theoretical plates were not less than 2000, and the tailing factor shouldn't be greater than 2, accordingly. All measurements have a constant relative standard deviation of peak areas that is less than 2.0. Conclusion: The suggested procedure was approved following the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) recommendations. When used for the quantitative analysis of Maftivimab, Atoltivimab, and Odesivimab, the approach was found to be straightforward, affordable, appropriate, exact, accurate, and robust.

Objective: Ketamine, commonly known as “K-powder,” is increasingly being abused as a “prom drug.” Palmatine, a typical isoquinoline alkaloid, is mainly found in the roots and stems of natural Chinese herbal medicine plants such as Phellodendron chinense, Coptis chinensis, Sankezhen and Nantianzhu. Herein, we aim to establish a UHPLC-MS/MS method to determine ketamine and palmatine concentrations in rat plasma and investigate the pharmacokinetic interaction of ketamine and palmatine. Methods: Three groups of eighteen rats each were assigned to ketamine, palmatine, ketamine and palmatine. The pharmacokinetic interaction between ketamine and palmatine was demonstrated using UHPLC-MS/MS. Results: When ketamine was combined with palmatine, the mean residence time (MRT) was significantly different from that of the ketamine group. MRT decreased after combined use. The interaction showed that palmatine can influence the mean residence time of ketamine; no significant differences were observed for other pharmacokinetic parameters between the ketamine or palmatine group and the ketamine-palmatine group. Conclusion: Palmatine may influence the mean residence time of ketamine.