Simple and rapid determination of zafirlukast in plasma by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method: application into pharmacokinetic study in rabbits.

Zafirlukast is a selective leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma. The aim of the present study was to develop a simple sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy method for rapid determination of zafirlukast in plasma. After a simple one step protein precipitation by acetonitrile, zafirlukast and montelukast (IS) were separated on Acquity UPLC BEH(TM) C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, i.d. 1.7 µm, Waters, USA) using a mobile phase of acetonitrile:water containing 10 mM acetic acid (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Zafirlukast and IS were eluted at 0.51 and 1.1 min, respectively with a total run time of only 1.5 min. The mass spectrometric determination was carried out using an electrospray interface operated in the negative mode with multiple reactions monitoring mode. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 574.11>462.07 and m/z 584.2>472.1 were used to quantify zafirlukast and IS, respectively. The method was linear in the concentration range of 0.17-600 ng/mL with coefficients of determination greater than 0.996 and lower limit of quantitation of 0.17 ng/mL. Intra-day and inter-day accuracies were 88.3-113.9% and the precisions were ≤ 12.6%. Zafirlukast was found to stable under various storage and sample processing conditions as per guidelines of bio-analytical method validation. The method developed herein is simple and rapid, and was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic study in rabbits.

Comparative bioavailability study of cefixime (equivalent to 100 mg/5 ml) suspension (Winex vs Suprax) in healthy male volunteers.

This investigation was carried out to evaluate the bioavailability of a new suspension formulation of cefixime (100 mg/5 ml), Winex, relative to the reference product, Suprax (100 mg/5 ml) suspension. The bio-availability study was carried out in 24 healthy male volunteers who received a single oral dose (200 mg) of the test (A) and the reference (B) products on 2 treatment days after an overnight fast of at least 10 hours. The treatment periods were separated by a one-week washout period. A randomized, balanced two-way crossover design was used. After dosing, serial blood samples were collected over a period of 16 hours. Plasma concentrations of cefixime were analyzed using a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. The pharmacokinetic parameters for cefixime were determined using standard non-compartmental method. The parameters AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), Cmax, Kel, t1/2 and Cmax/AUC(0-infinity) were analyzed statistically using raw and log-transformed data. The time to maximum concentration (tmax) was analyzed using raw data. The parametric 90% confidence intervals of the mean values of the pnfinity harmacokinetic parameters: AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity) Cmax, and Cmax/AUC(0-infinity) were within the range 80 - 125% which is acceptable for bioequivalence (using log-transformed data). The calculated 90% confidence intervals based on the ANOVA analysis for the mean test/reference ratios of AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), Cmax, and Cmax/AUC(0-infinity) were 88.93 - 107.10%, 89.09 - 107.11%, 89.63 - 108.58% and 96.85 - 105.29%, respectively. The test formulation was found bioequivalent to the reference formulation with regard to AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), and Cmax using the Schuirmann's two one-sided t-tests. Therefore, the two formulations were considered to be bioequivalent.

Comparative bioavailability study of doxycycline hyclate (equivalent to 100 mg doxycycline) capsules (doxycin vs vibramycin) for bioequivalence evaluation in healthy adult volunteers.

This investigation was carried out to evaluate the bioavailability of a new capsule formulation of doxycycline (100 mg), doxycin, relative to the reference product, vibramycin (100 mg) capsules. The bioavailability was carried out in 24 healthy male volunteers who received a single dose (100 mg) of the test (A) and the reference (B) products after an overnight fast of at least 10 hours on 2 treatment days. The treatment periods were separated by a 2-week washout period. A randomized, balanced 2-way cross-over design was used. After dosing, serial blood samples were collected for a period of 48 hours. Plasma concentrations of doxycycline were analyzed by a sensitive and validated high-performance liquid chromatography assay. The pharmacokinetic parameters for doxycycline were determined using standard noncompartmental methods. The parameters AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), Cmax, K(el), t(1/2) and Cmax/AUC(0-infinity) were analyzed statistically using log-transformed data. The time to maximum concentration (tmax) was analyzed using raw data. The parametric 90% confidence intervals of the mean values of the pharmacokinetic parameters: AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), Cmax and Cmax/AUC(0-infinity) were within the range 80-125% which is acceptable for bioequivalence (using log-transformed data). The calculated 90% confidence intervals based on the ANOVA analysis of the mean test/reference ratios of AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), Cmax and Cmax/AUC(0-infinity) were 95.98-109.56%, 92.21 to 107.66%, 93.90-112.56%, and 96.0 to 106.91% respectively. The test formulation was found bioequivalent to the reference formulation with regard to AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), Cmax and Cmax/AUC(0-infinity) by the Schuirmann's two 1-sided t-tests. Therefore, the 2 formulations were considered to be bioequivalent.

Bioequivalence evaluation of two brands of cefuroxime 500 mg tablets (Cefuzime and Zinnat) in healthy human volunteers.

A bioequivalence study of two oral formulations of 500 mg cefuroxime axetil was carried out in 24 healthy volunteers following a single dose, standard two-treatment cross-over design at the College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, working jointly with King Khalid University Hospital. The two formulations used were Cefuzime (Julphar, United Arab Emirates) as the test and Zinnat (Glaxo Wellcome, England) as the reference product. Both test and reference tablets were administered to each subject after an overnight fasting on two treatment days separated by a 1-week washout period. After dosing, serial blood samples were collected for a period of 8 h. Plasma harvested from blood was analysed for cefuroxime by a sensitive, reproducible and accurate high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Various pharmacokinetic parameters including AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), C(max), T(max), T(1/2) and K(el) were determined from plasma concentrations of both formulations and found to be in good agreement with reported values. AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) were tested for bioequivalence after log-transformation of data. No significant difference was found based on an analysis of variance (ANOVA); 90% confidence interval for test/reference ratio of these parameters were found within bioequivalence acceptance range of 80-125%. Based on these statistical inferences, it was concluded that Cefuzime is bioequivalent to Zinnat.

Studies on the cardiovascular depressant effects of N-ethyl- and N-benzyl-1,2-diphenylethanolamines in the rat: elucidation of the mechanisms of action.

The influence and mechanisms of action of N-ethyl- and N-benzyl-1,2-diphenylethanolamines (compounds E and B, respectively) on the arterial blood pressure and the heart rate of the rat together with their effects on CaCl2-induced arrhythmias in the rat were investigated. Both E and B in doses of (1.5-12 micromol/kg IV) decreased the arterial blood pressure and the heart rate in a dose-dependent manner. Studies with various receptor blockers, enzyme inhibitors and CaCl2 revealed that E-induced cardiovascular depressant effects were mainly due to CaCl2 channel blocking action and activation of cyclic guanylyl cyclase or release of NO whereas the cardiovascular effects of B seemed to involve both blockade of Ca2+ channels and activation of parasympathetic ganglia. Both compounds (12-14.5 micromol/kg) completely protected the rat against CaCl2 (60 mg kg(-1))-induced tachyarrhythmias. The B compound seemed to be several times more potent than the E compound in its cardiovascular depressant actions. The results suggest the potential usefulness of both compounds in the treatment of hypertension and supraventricular arrhythmias.

Studies on the spasmolytic and uterine relaxant actions of n -ethyl and n -benzyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanolamines: elucidation of the mechanisms of action.

The influence of N -ethyl- and N -benzyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanolamines (compounds E and B, respectively) was examined on the spontaneously contracting rabbit jejunum and the rat uterus together with their influence on the contractions induced by some spasmogens in the guinea-pig ileum and oxytocics and CaCl2in the pregnant rat uterus. Both E and B inhibited the spontaneous contractions of the rabbit jejunum with ID50values of 0.13 and 0.03 micromol ml-1. Their inhibitory activities were not antagonized by alpha- or beta-adrenoceptor blockers but significantly reversed by CaCl2(0.015 micromol ml-1). The compounds also antagonized nicotine, ACh-, histamine-, 5-HT- and CaCl2-induced contractions by 44-100%. Compound E seemed to be several times more potent than B in inhibiting the spontaneous uterine contractions with an ID50of (7 nmol ml-1). Their inhibitory effects were not antagonized by beta2-adrenoceptor or H2-receptor blocking drugs. Both compounds (40 nmol ml-1) antagonized in a competitive manner CaCl2-induced contractions in the K+-depolarised uterus and PGE2and oxytocin-induced uterine contractions. The ID50values were in the range of 1.6-10.7 nmol ml-1. The results suggest that E and B compounds may be considered as putative L-Ca2+channel blockers with certain selectivities. The E compound seemed to be more selective against uterine L-Ca2+channels and the B compound against intestinal smooth muscles. Thus, the compounds may be of potential value in treatment of some colics, the irritant bowel syndrome, dysmenorrhoea and premature deliveries.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of some new substituted quinolin-4-one and 1,7-naphthyridin-4-one analogs.

The synthesis of some new analogs of quinolin-4-one and 1,7-naphthyridin-4-one is described. The prepared compounds were tested for their in vitro antitumor and cdc2 kinase or cdc25 phosphatase inhibitory activity. Compound ethyl 7-oxo-2,3-dihydro-7H-pyrido [1,2,3-de][2,3-b]pyrido-1,4-thiazine-6-carboxylate (6b) showed antitumor activity against CNS SNB-75, breast T-47D, and lung NCI-H522 cancer cell lines with GI50 values of 8.3, 17.6, and 22.7 microM, respectively. Meanwhile, the compounds ethyl 4-oxo-8-phenylthio-1H,4H-quinoline-3-carboxylate (11a) and 4-oxo-8-phenylthio-1H,4H-1,7-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid (12b) have proved to be cdc25 phosphatase inhibitors at IC50 values of 11 and 5 microM, respectively.

Bioequivalence evaluation of lomefloxacin 400 mg tablets (Lomax versus Maxaquin in healthy human volunteers.

This study represents the results of a randomized, single dose, two-treatment, two-period crossover study in 18 healthy male volunteers to assess the bioequivalence of two tablets of 400 mg lomefloxacin. The two formulations were: Lomax(R) (Julphar, United Arab Emirates) as the test formulation and Maxaquin(R) (Searle, S.A., UK) as the reference formulation. The study was conducted at the College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, jointly with King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After overnight fasting the two products were administered as a single dose on two treatment days separated by a 1 week washout period. Serial blood samples were collected thereafter, for a period of 48 h. Plasma harvested from blood was analysed for lomefloxacin by a sensitive, reproducible and accurate HPLC method. Various pharmacokinetic parameters including AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), C(max,) T(max), T(1/2), K(elm) and C(max)/AUC(0-infinity) were determined from plasma concentrations for both formulations and found to be in good agreement with reported values. Statistical modules applied to AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) revealed no significant difference in the two tested products. Based on these statistical inferences it was concluded that Lomax(R) is bioequivalent to Maxaquin(R).

Comparative bioavailability of two tablet formulations of ranitidine hydrochloride in healthy volunteers.

This investigation was carried out to evaluate the bioavailability of a new tablet formulation of ranitidine HCl (300 mg), Ranid, relative to the reference product, Zantac, (300 mg) tablets. The bioavailability was carried out on 24 healthy male volunteers who received a single dose (300 mg) of the test (T) and the reference (R) products in the fasting state, in a randomized balanced 2-way crossover design. After dosing, serial blood samples were collected for a period of 16 hours. Plasma harvested from blood was analyzed for ranitidine by a sensitive and validated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the plasma concentration time curve up to the last measurable concentration (AUC0-t), and to infinity (AUC0-infinity) and the absorption rate (Cmax/AUC0-infinity) were analyzed statistically under the assumption of a multiplicative model. The time to maximum concentration (Tmax) was analyzed assuming an additive model. The parametric confidence intervals (90%) of the mean values of the pharmacokinetic characteristics (AUC0-t, AUC0-infinity), Cmax and Cmax/AUC0-infinity) for T/R ratio were in each case well within the bioequivalence acceptable range of 80-125%. The test formulation was found bioequivalent to the reference formulation by the Schuirmann's two one-sided t-tests and by Wilcoxon Mann Whitney two one-sided tests procedure. Therefore, the 2 formulations were considered to be bioequivalent.

Comparative bioavailability of two tablet formulations of acyclovir in healthy volunteers.

This investigation was carried out to evaluate the bioavailability of a new tablet formulation of acyclovir (400 mg), Clovir, relative to reference product, Zovirax (400 mg) tablets. The 2 brands were found to be similar in weight variation, disintegration time, dissolution, and assay as stipulated by the USPXXIII, as well as by the manufacturer. The bioavailability was carried out on 24 healthy male volunteers who received a single dose (400 mg) of the test (T) and the reference (R) products in the fasting state, in a randomized balanced 2-way crossover design. After dosing, serial blood samples were collected for a period of 16 hours. Plasma harvested from blood was analyzed for acyclovir by a sensitive and validated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the plasma concentration-time curve up to the last measurable concentration (AUC0-t), and to infinity (AUC0-infinity), and the absorption rate (Cmax/AUC0-infinity) were analyzed statistically under the assumption of a multiplicative model. The time to maximum concentration (Tmax) was analyzed assuming an additive model. The parametric confidence intervals (90%) of the mean values of the pharmacokinetic characteristics (AUC0-t, AUC0-infinity, Cmax, Cmax/AUC0-infinity) for T/R ratio were in each case, well within the bioequivalence acceptable range of 80-125%. The test formulation was found bioequivalent to the reference formulation by the Schuirmann's two 1-sided t tests and by Wilcoxon Mann Whitney two 1-sided tests procedure. Therefore, the 2 formulations were considered to be bioequivalent.

The pharmacological effects of some 1H-1,4-benzothiazineylide derivatives on the cardiovascular system of the rat and some smooth muscles.

A series of 1H-1,4-benzothiazineylides was synthesized and characterized. The influence of this series of compounds 1-7 was examined on the cardiovascular system of the rat, the isolated jejunum of the rabbit, the guinea-pig ileum and the isolated uteri of late pregnant rats. The results of the present study revealed the bradicardiogenic effect of the ethyl, propyl and isobutyl derivatives when tested in the dose range of (10-53 mumole Kg-1). Furthermore, the isobutyl derivative also exhibited an ability to decrease the arterial blood pressure. All the test compounds exhibited non-spasmolytic activity against ACh, histamine and BaCl2. The butyl, isobutyl and isopropyl derivatives were found to be the most potent. The results direct the attention to a new potential group of cardiovascular depressant and spasmolytic agents.

Comparative bioavailability of two tablet formulations of ibuprofen.

This investigation was carried out to evaluate the bioavailability of a new tablet formulation of ibuprofen (600 mg), Profinal, relative to reference product, Brufen (600 mg) tablets. The 2 brands were found to be similar in assay, weight variation and dissolution as stipulated by the USP XXII, as well as the disintegration time, as specified by the BP 1988. The bioavailability was carried out on 18 healthy male volunteers who received a single dose (600 mg) of the test (T) and the reference (R) products in the fasting state, in a randomized balanced 2-way crossover design. After dosing, serial blood samples were collected for a period of 12 hours. Plasma harvested from blood was analyzed for ibuprofen by a sensitive and validated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the plasma concentration-curve up to the last measurable concentration (AUC0-t), and to infinity (AUC0-infinity) were analyzed statistically under the assumption of a multiplicative model. The time to maximum concentration (Tmax) was analyzed assuming an additive model. The parametric confidence intervals (90%) of the mean values of the pharmacokinetic characteristics (AUC0-t, AUC0-infinity and Cmax) for T:R ratio were in each case, well within the bioequivalence acceptable range of 80-125%. The test formulation was found bioequivalent to the reference formulation by the Schuirmann's 2 1-sided t-tests and by Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney 2 1-sided tests procedure. Therefore, the 2 formulations were considered to be bioequivalent.

Effect of pirenzepine on the N-demethylation of D(-)ephedrine and ethylmorphine by rabbit liver microsomes.

The possible interaction of pirenzepine with the mixed-function oxidases obtained from phenobarbital-pretreated rabbit microsomes was examined in vitro. Under experimental conditions that did not lead to its own N-demethylation, the drug inhibited the microsomal oxidase systems responsible for the N-demethylation of D(-)ephedrine and ethylmorphine. Kinetic studies showed that pirenzepine inhibited the metabolism of both drugs in a competitive manner. The results indicated that the observed pirenzepine stability to the hepatic N-demethylating system is not a result of low affinity of the drug to the system.

Effects of N-methyl- and N-isobutyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanol amines on the spontaneous and evoked contractions in the rat isolated uterus.

1. The effects of N-methyl- and N-isobutyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanol amine (compounds M & E), respectively and diltiazem (D) were examined on the spontaneous and evoked uterine contractions of pregnant rats in vitro. 2. Addition of compound M (75-300 microM), compound E (15-60 microM) or D (100-400 nM) to the uterine tissues, inhibited the spontaneous contractions in a dose-dependent manner. The potency order was D greater than E greater than M. 3. The inhibitions were reversed by elevating the extracellular Ca2+ concentration by 20 mM. The compounds also antagonised CaCl2-evoked contractions. 4. Treatment of rats with either compound during pregnancy days (1-16) did not affect the implantation process and did not induce any teratogenicity. 5. The uterine inhibitory effects of the compounds may be due to blockade of uterine Ca2+ channels.

Cardiovascular depressant effects of N-methyl- and N-isobutyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanolamines: elucidation of the mechanisms of action.

The cardiovascular effects of N-methyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanolamine (compound M) and N-isobutyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanolamine (compound E) were examined in anaesthetized rats and their effects were compared with those of verapamil and diltiazem. Administration of compound M (10-80 mumole/kg), compound E (2-16 mumole/kg), diltiazem (1.5-24 mumole/kg) or verapamil (1.25-10 mumole/kg) induced dose-dependent decreases in arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The induced cardiovascular changes were not antagonized by chlorpheniramine, cimetidine or imidazole. Indomethacin antagonized the diltiazem-induced hypotension without any effect on that of compounds M and E. The effects of all compounds tested were antagonized by pretreatment of the rats with CaCl2 (1.2-2.4 mmole/kg). Furthermore, methylene blue significantly antagonized the compound E- and diltiazem-induced hypotension. Treatment of the animals with propranolol enhanced the compound M- and E-induced hypotension. Compounds M and E antagonized the NA-induced increase in arterial blood pressure in a competitive manner. Compounds M and E seem to exert their cardiovascular effects via interference with the influx of extracellular Ca2+. Furthermore, compound E and diltiazem may act partially via activation of guanylyl cyclase.

Synthesis and antinociceptive activity of ring substituted N-[(2-phenyl-2-hydroxy)ethyl]-4-phenyl-4-carboethoxypiperidines.

A series of phenyl substituted N-[(2-phenyl-2-hydroxy)ethyl]-4-phenyl-4-carboethoxylpiperidine were synthesized and their antinociceptive activity tested in mice and compared with morphine sulphate. All compounds demonstrated antinociceptive activity in both the hot plate and the writhing tests. The studies showed that the antinociceptive activity is dependable on both the nature and the position of the substituent on the phenyl ring. Antagonism study with naloxone suggests possible interaction of the new compounds with the opioid receptors.

Antiaggregatory activity of N-methyl- and N-isobutyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanolamines in rat platelets.

The ability of N-methyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanolamine (compound M), N-isobutyl-1,2-diphenyl ethanolamine (compound E), diltiazem and verapamil to inhibit in vitro ADP-induced platelet aggregation was examined in rat platelet-rich plasma. Pretreatment of the platelets with the compounds (0.1-3 mM) for 3 min at 37 degrees C, inhibited an ADP-induced aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximum percentage inhibitions induced by compounds M, E, diltiazem and verapamil were: 95.5 +/- 6.5, 98.4 +/- 7.5, 100 and 95.9 +/- 8.3% at concentrations of 3, 0.64, 0.96 and 0.4 mM, respectively (n = 8 - 12). The inhibitory dose 50 (ID50) values for compounds M, E, diltiazem and verapamil were 1.3 +/- 0.13, 0.29 +/- 0.01, 0.44 +/- 0.03 and 0.2 +/- 0.01 mM, respectively. The antiaggregatory effects were not antagonized by methylene blue (50-200 microM), but were completely antagonized (greater than 95%) by elevation of the Ca2+ level in the platelet-rich plasma by 0.2-0.7 mM. Co-administration of (-)propranolol (17 microM) with anyone of the compounds enhanced the antiaggregatory effects. The compounds (0.1-0.2 mM) enhanced the prostacyclin (0.01 nM)-induced antiaggregatory activity. The antiaggregatory effects of the compounds are likely to be due to an inhibition of influx of Ca2+ into the platelets.

Differential pulse polarographic assay of tolmetin sodium capsules.

Differential pulse polarography (DPP) is proposed as a direct method for the quantitation of tolmetin sodium in a capsule formulation (Tolectin--200 mg as the sodium dihydrate salt). Classical direct-current (DC) polarography has been employed to investigate the nature of the reduction occurring at the surface of the dropping mercury electrode (DME) using acetate buffer of pH 5.0 as the supporting electrolyte. The mean value of the results obtained by DPP expressed as a percentage of the stated amount, and the standard deviation, were found to be 99.87 +/- 0.43. The standard addition procedure used to assess the accuracy of the proposed method gave a mean percentage recovery of the total drug of 100.15 +/- 0.75%.

The antiarrhythmic activity of N-alkyl-1,2-diphenylethanolamines.

The activity of N-alkyl-1,2-diphenylethanolamines against CaCl2-induced cardiac arrhythmia was evaluated in the rat. The potencies of the compounds were compared with that of the established calcium ion-channel blocker, verapamil. The N-methyl, N-ethyl, and N-isobutyl derivatives as well as verapamil at doses of 2-8 mumols kg-1 protected the animals against the induced arrhythmia. The potency order was verapamil greater than N methyl greater than N-ethyl greater than N-isobutyl derivatives. The N-isopropyl and N-butyl derivatives were inactive. The antiarrhythmic activity of the compounds was not due to local anesthetic activity but may be caused by calcium-channel inhibition.