New Stability Indicating Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Quantification of Racecadotril (An Anti-Diarrheal Drug)

 

Pramadvara Kallepalli*, Mukthinuthalapati Mathrusri Annapurna

Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance, GITAM Institute of Pharmacy,

GITAM University, Visakhapatnam-530045, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: pramadvarakallepalli4@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

A new sensitive and validated liquid chromatographic method has been proposed for the determination of Racecadotril in capsules. Waters model 2695 alliance HPLC system with Symmetry shield, RP-18, 250x 4.6mm, 5µ particle size and Waters 2996 Photodiode array detector was used for the chromatographic study of Racecadotril. Mobile phase mixture containing phosphate buffer: acetonitrile:trimethylamine (40:60: 0.1 v/v)adjusted to pH 4.0 withorthophosphoric acid) (flow rate 1 ml/min) (UV detection at 230 nm) was used. Linear regression equation was found to be y = 33904x + 25748 (R² = 0.9997) with LOD and LOQ as 0.3925 and 1.2013 µg/mLrespectively.Racecadotril was investigated for stability using acidic, oxidation, thermal, hydrolysis, photolytic (UV light and sunlight) and alkaline stress conditions. The proposed method for the quantification of Racecadotril in capsules was found to be selective and specific.

 

KEYWORDS: RP-HPLC, Racecadotril, stability-indicating, ICH guidelines, validation.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Racecadotril (Figure 1) has been shown to reduce both the frequency and duration of acute diarrhoeaand it is effective in both rotavirus-positive and rotavirus-negative infants and children1. It is acts as anenkephalinaseinhibitor. Racecadotril was determined by spectrophotometry2-3, HPLC4-9 and HPTLC8 techniques in pharmaceutical dosage forms and human plasma. A new stability indicating liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the assay of Racecadotril and validated.

 

 

Figure 1: Chemical structure of Racecadotril

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

All chemicals are of analytical grade. Racecadotril reference standard was procured as a gift sample from Dr.Reddy’s Laboratory, Hyderabad (India) and it is available with brand names Redotil (Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory) (Label claim: 100 mg) Trotz (Wallace) capsules, Zomatril-10DT tablets (Dispersible tablets) (FDC).Potassium dihydrogen phosphate, trimethylamine, orthophosphoric acid and acetonitrile was purchased from Merck.

 

Stock solution of Racecadotril was prepared by transferring 100 mg of Racecadotril reference standard into 100 ml volumetric flask and dissolved with mobile phase, sonicated and made up to volume with mobile phase (1000 µg/mL).

 

Instrumentation and optimized chromatographic conditions:

Waters model 2695 alliance HPLC system (Water with waters 2996 photodiode array detector and an 2707 automatic injector equipped with a 100 µl loop, a thermostatic 1500 column compartment and an 2996 PDA detector. System control, data acquisition and integration were accomplished with Empower software.

Chromatographic separation was accomplished on symmetry shield, RP-18, with dimension 250x4.6mm, 5µ particle size. HPLC analysis were carried out by applying isocratic conditions.  Mobile phase mixture containing phosphate buffer: acetonitrile: trimethylamine (40:60: 0.1 v/v) adjusted to pH 4.0 with diluted orthophosphoric acid).

 

Method validation:

The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, LOD, LOQ and robustness as per ICH guidelines10.

 

Linearity:

2–320 μg/ml of Racecadotrilsolutions were prepared from the stock and 50 μl was injected in to the HPLC system (n = 3). The average peak areawas noted from the resultant chromatograms and plotted against concentration to construct the calibration curve and LOD, LOQ were calculated (ICH guidelines).

 

Precision, Accuracy and Robustness:

The intra-day and inter-day precision studies were performed (50, 100 and 150 μg/ml) and % RSD was calculated. Accuracy was performed by standard addition and recovery experiments (25, 50 and 75 μg/ml)followed by percentage recovery calculations. Robustness was calculatedby modifying flow rate, mobile phase ratio, pH and detection wave length.

 

 

 

Assay of Racecadotrilcapsules:

Twenty capsules and tablets of Racecadotril of different brands were taken and the contents were extracted with acetonitrile to get a stock solution (1 mg/mL)and diluted with mobile phase as per necessity.

 

Stress degradation studies11:

Degradation studies were performed for which Racecadotril was exposed to different stress conditions -acidic, alkaline, thermal, hydrolysis, photolytic (UV light and sunlight)and oxidation.Acidic and alkaline degradationsolutions were performedby treating 1ml Racecadotrilwith 5N HCl and 1ml of 5N NaOH (800C;1 hour)followed by neutralizationand dilution with mobile phase.The resulting solutions were filtered and 50µL of this solution was injected into the system and the peak area was noted from the corresponding chromatogram.For peroxide degradation drug solution was treated with 5 ml of 30 % hydrogen peroxide (800C; 1 hour). Thermal stress studies were conducted in thermostat at 800C; 1 hour whereas Racecadotril was exposed to sunlight and UV light in photolytic chamber (254 nm) for 6 Hours. 50 µL of these solutions were injected into the system and the peak areas were noted.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

A new stability indicating RP-HPLC method was developed for the determination of Racecadotrilon isocratic mode. Table 1 describes the details of the proposed method with the previously published methods.

 

Table. 1. Comparison of present method with the reported methods in the literature

Mobile phase (v/v)/

Reagent

Method

λ

(nm)

Range

(mg/mL)

Comments

Ref

Methanol-Water

Acetonitrile-Water

Spectrophotometry

231

232

25-100

20-80

Low linearity range

2

Methanol-Water

Spectrophotometry

230

5-60

Very low linearity range

3

Acetonitrile: Phosphate buffer: TEA (80:19.95:0.05)

HPLC

231

10-80 (mg/ml)

Very low linearity range

4

Acetonitrile : Phosphate buffer (40:60)

HPLC

230

5-15

Very low linearity range

5

Acetonitrile: Phosphate buffer (74:26) (Human plasma)

HPLC

210

0.05-4.0

Very low linearity range

6

Methanol: Water (60:40)

HPLC

220

1-32

Very low linearity range

7

Acetonitrile: Methanol: water: Acetic acid(52:28:20:0.1)

Isopropanol: Ammonia: n-Hexane (9:0.5:20)

Methanol

HPLC

HPTLC

Spectrophotometry (D1)

240

4-40

2-20

5-40

Stability indicating

Very low linearity range

for all the methods

8

Methanol:TBAHS(80:20)

HPLC

230

5-120

Stability indicating

9

Acetonitrile: Phosphate buffer: TEA

(pH adjusted to 4.0 with OPA) (60:40:0.1)

HPLC

 

230

2-320

Very wide linearity range

Stability indicating

Present work

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2: Chromatograms of a) Diluent b) Placebo c) Racecadotril(Rt 8.113 min) d) Redotil capsules (Label claim- 100 mg)

 

 

Method development and Optimization:

RP-HPLC system was initially optimized using symmetry shield, RP-18, 250x 4.6mm, 5µ particle size withphosphate buffer and acetonitrile in the ratio of 40:60 %v/v (flow rate 1.0 mL/min) but slight tailing was observed and therefore 0.1% trimethylamine was introduced in to the mobile phase mixture and pH was adjusted to 4.0 with the help of o-phosphoric acid by which a sharp peak of Racecadotril was eluted at 8.113 ± 0.25 mins (Figure 2).

 

Method validation:

Racecadotril obeys Beer- Lamberts law 2 - 320 µg/mL (Table 2) with linear regression equation y = 33904x + 25748(R² = 0.9997)(Figure 3) (% RSD 0.12-0.68) andLOD as well as LOQ as 0.3925 and 1.2013 µg/mL respectively. The % RSD in intraday and inter-day precision studies was found to be 0.15-0.29 and 0.55-0.76 respectively (Table 3 & Table 4) and that of accuracy (Table 5) and robustness were 0.26-0.62 with % recovery 98.32-99.41 and 0.06-0.81 (Table 6) indicating that the method is precise, robust and accurate (< 2%).

 

 

 

Table. 2. Linearity of Racecadotril

Conc. (µg/mL)

*Mean peak area

% RSD

2

68714

0.12

4

137427

0.28

8

275754

0.41

16

553363

0.56

20

684547

0.22

24

828534

0.38

32

1084206

0.42

40

1393781

0.51

80

2767541

0.24

160

5513636

0.32

200

6835472

0.44

240

8275654

0.68

320

10835771

0.43

*Mean of three replicates

 

Table. 3. Intraday precision study of Racecadotril

Conc. (µg/mL)

*Mean peak area

Statistical Analysis

*Mean ± SD (% RSD)

50

1736129

 

50

1738624

1735725 ± 3120.15 (0.18)

50

1732423

 

100

3473164

 

100

3475286

3477194 ± 5250.772 (0.15)

100

3483132

 

150

5217243

 

150

5246247

5234261 ± 15142.61 (0.29)

150

5239293

 

*Mean of three replicates

 

 

Figure 3: Calibration curve of Racecadotril

 

Table. 4.Inter-day precision study of Racecadotril

Conc.

(µg/mL)

*Mean peak area

*Mean ± SD(% RSD)

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

50

1716240

1735236

1725631

1725702 ± 9498.20 (0.55)

100

3484297

3446412

3497230

3475980 ± 26410.24 (0.76)

150

5232217

5278643

5217294

5242718± 31994.19 (0.61)

*Mean of three replicates

 

Table. 5.Accuracy study of Racecadotril

Formulation

(µg/mL)

Pure drug

(µg/mL)

Total conc.

(µg/mL)

(%)

Recovery

%

RSD

50

25

75

98.32

0.26

50

25

75

50

25

75

50

50

100

99.41

0.62

50

50

100

50

50

100

50

75

125

98.72

0.36

50

75

125

50

75

125

*Mean of three replicates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table. 6. Robustness study of Racecadotril

Parameter

Condition

*Mean peak area

*Mean peak area ± SD (% RSD)

Flow rate (± 0.1 ml/min)

0.9

3503491

3475313 ± 28165.01 (0.81)

1.0

3475286

1.1

3447161

Detection wavelength (± 2 nm)

228

3473906

3475698 ± 2030.15 (0.06)

 

230

3475286

232

3477903

Mobile phase composition

(Ammonium formate: Methanol) (± 2, v/v)

58:42

3459954

3480561 ± 23688.61 (0.68)

60:40

3475286

62:38

3506442

*Mean of three replicates

 

Assay of Racecadotril capsules:

The percentage of purity of Racecadotril was found to be 99.56-99.83 in all the three brands of the marketed formulations and the results were tabulated (Table 7) and there is no interference of excipients (Figure 2b).

 

Table. 7.Assay of Racecadotril

Brands

Label claim (mg)

*Amount found (mg)

*Recovery (%)

I

100

99.56

99.56

II

100

99.68

99.68

III

100

99.83

99.83

* Mean of three replicates

 

Stress degradation studies:

Racecadotril was exposed to various stress conditions like acidic,oxidative, basic,thermal, hydrolysisand photolysis. During acidic hydrolysis a degradant was observed at about 2.8 mins and it may be due to the breakage of amide group in the structure and another degradant was observed at about 2.19 min during oxidation. In almost all the degradation studies less than 10% of the drug was decomposed saying that Racecadotril is very much resistant (Table 8).The theoretical plates are above 23700 (> 2000) approving that the column is very much efficient to separate the analyte and tailing factor is less than 1.5. Figure 4 shows the typical chromatograms of Racecadotrilobtained during stress degradation studies.

 

 

Table. 8. Stress degradation studies of Racecadotril

Stress condition

Rt (min)

*Mean peak area

%

Recovery

%Drug

degradation

Theoretical

plates

Tailing

factor

Standard drug

8.113

3477162

100

-

24198.231

1.274

Acidic hydrolysis (5N HCl/ 80°C/60 min)

8.083

3339119

96.03

3.97

24381.721

1.318

Alkaline hydrolysis (5NNaOH/80°C/60 min)

8.087

3366241

96.81

3.19

29821.432

1.291

Oxidation (30%H2O2/70°C/1hr

8.083

3209768

92.31

7.69

23769.321

1.401

Thermal degradation (80°C/ 60 min)

8.087

3284875

94.47

5.53

28325.426

1.206

Photolysis (UV light)

8.083

3394753

97.63

2.37

26592.137

1.104

Photolysis (Sun light)

8.090

3435088

98.79

1.21

29743.512

1.263

*Mean of three replicates

 

Figure 4: Chromatograms of Racecadotril (100 µg/mL) during stress degradation studies a) Racecadotril pure drug (API) b) Oxidation c) UV light d) Sun light e) Hydrolysis f) Acidic degradation g) Alkaline degradation h) Thermal degradation

 

 CONCLUSIONS:

The present proposed method for the determination of Racecadotril is simple, specific and selective and all the system suitable parameters ae within the acceptance criteria and this method can be applied for quantification of any dosage form.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The authors are grateful to Suven Life Sciences (India) for supporting this analysis andDr. Reddy’s Laboratory (India) for providing the gift samples of Racecadotril. There is no conflict of interest.

 

REFERENCES:

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2.       Vetrichelvan T and Prabakaran S.New spectrophotometric methods for the determination of Racecadotril in bulk drug and capsules. Indian J Pharm Sci. 69(2); 2007: 307-309.

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8.       Mohamed AO, Fouad MM, Hasan MM, Abdel Razeq SA and Elsherif ZA.Stability-indicating methods for the determination of Racecadotril in the presence of its degradation products. National Center for Biotechnology Information. 3; 2009:247-252.

9.       Mathrusri AnnapurnaM, NarendraA and Alok Sahu. Development and validation of a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for analysis of Racecadotril in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Chemical Science Transactions. 3(2); 2014: 518-529.

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Received on 07.08.2018          Modified on 17.08.2018

Accepted on 22.08.2018        © RJPT All right reserved

Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2018; 11(8): 3679-3684.

DOI: 10.5958/0974-360X.2018.00675.3