Original Article

Rapid Stability Indicating HPLC Method for the Analysis of Leflunomide and Its Related Impurities in Bulk Drug and Formulations

10.4274/tjps.galenos.2018.34635

  • Useni Reddy MALLU
  • Venkateswara Rao ANNA
  • Bikshal Babu KASIMALA

Received Date: 11.06.2018 Accepted Date: 31.08.2018 Turk J Pharm Sci 2019;16(4):457-465 PMID: 32454750

Objectives:

Leflunomide (LFNM) is a drug that belongs to isoxazole derivatives and has immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activities. A literature search confirms that there is no method reported for the simultaneous estimation of LFNM and its related impurities A and B in pharmaceutical dosage forms or in bulk drug. Hence the present work aimed to develop a simple stability indicating RP-HPLC method for the separation and quantification of LFNM and its impurities A and B.

Materials and Methods:

Systematic trials of method conditions like mobile phase ratio, pH, flow rate, stationary phase, and detector wavelength were performed for the simultaneous analysis of LFNM and its related impurities A and B. The developed method was validated as per the ICH guidelines including forced degradation studies in different stress conditions.

Results:

Optimized separation was achieved on a Thermo Scientific Hypersil ODS C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm; 5 μm id) using mobile phase composition of acetonitrile, methanol, and 0.1 M sodium perchlorate in the ratio of 40:30:30 (v/v), pH 4.6, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min in isocratic elution. UV detection was carried out at a wavelength of 246 nm. Well-resolved peaks were observed with high numbers of theoretical plates, lower tailing factor, and reproducible relative retention time and response factor. The method was validated and all the validation parameters were found to be within the acceptance limits. Stability tests were done through exposure of the analyte solution to five different stress conditions, i.e. 1 N HCl, 1 N NaOH, 3% H2O2, thermal degradation of powder, and exposure to UV radiation. The method can successfully separate the degradation products along with both the impurities studied. The % degradation was also found to be less.

Conclusion:

The method developed for LFNM is simple and precise and can be applied for the separation and quantification of LFNM and its related impurities in bulk drug and pharmaceutical formulations.

Keywords: Leflunomide, impurity A, impurity B, stress degradation, HPLC

INTRODUCTION

Leflunomide (LFNM) is an isoxazole derivative having both immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activities.1 LFNM acts as a dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.2,3 It is also used to treat psoriasis, psoriatic arthropathy,4 and other inflammatory conditions like bullous pemphigoid, Felty syndrome, Sjögren syndrome, Wegener granulomatosis, and vasculitis.5 The most common side effects associated with LFNM are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, alopecia, and hypertension.6

The literature reveals that methods are reported for the estimation of LFNM in pharmaceutical formulations using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC),7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 UPLC,15 and spectrophotometer.16,17 Only one HPLC method was reported for the simultaneous estimation of LFNM with other NSAIDs.18 Bioanalytical methods are reported for estimation of LFNM in biological samples using HPLC,19 HPTLC,20 and liquid chromatography.21 The other methods reported were determination of the active metabolite of LFNM in biological samples using HPLC.22,23,24 No methods are reported for the estimation of LFLM and its USP related impurities in pharmaceutical formulations. Hence in the present study we attempted to develop a simple method for the estimation of LFLM (5-methyl-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-isoxazole-4-carboxamide) and its related impurities A (α,α,α-trifluoro-p-toluidine, 4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline, 4-aminobenzotrifluoride) and B (2-cyano-3-hydroxy-N-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)crotonamide) in pharmaceutical formulations. The molecular structure of LFNM and its related compounds in the study are given in Figure 1.


MATERIALS AND METHODS


Instrumentation

The separation and estimation of LFNM with impurities A and B were conducted on a PEAK HPLC (India) system. The mobile phase was pumped into the column using an LC-P7000 isocratic pump. A 20-µL fixed volume sample was injected for the analysis using a Rheodyne injector (model 7725) with a fixed 20-µL loop. A variable wavelength programmable (Waters 486) ultraviolet (UV)-visible detector was used for detecting the compounds. The detector response signals were monitored and integrated using Young Lin Autochro-3000 software (Korea). Samples were injected using a Hamilton (USA) manual HPLC syringe. A double beam UV-visible spectrophotometer (Teccomp UV-2301, India) was used for the spectral analysis. A Denver electronic analytical balance (SI-234) was used for weighing the standards and samples. pH of the mobile phase was adjusted using a Systronics (India) digital pH meter (Sr No: S 1326).


Chemicals and reagents

The active pharmaceutical ingredient LFNM with 99.20% purity and its two impurities A and B were obtained as gift samples from Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited, Secundrabad, Telangana, India. The marketed formulation of LFNM (Lefno©–10 mg) was purchased in a local pharmacy. Laboratory reagent grade sodium perchlorate monohydrate (NaClO4.H2O) and perchloric acid (HClO4) were purchased from SD Fine Chem. Limited, Mumbai. HPLC grade methanol, acetonitrile, and water were purchased from Merck Chemicals, Mumbai, and 0.2-µm nylon membrane filter papers were used for filtration of samples and mobile phase and were purchased from Millipore (India).


Preparation of solutions


Sodium perchlorate solution (0.1 M)

First 14.046 g of NaClO4.H2O was weighed accurately and dissolved in 500 mL of water (HPLC grade). Then it was sonicated for 2-5 min to dissolve the compound completely in the water. The final volume was made up to the mark in a 1000-mL volumetric flask using water. The solution was filtered through a 0.45-µm nylon membrane filter paper.


Perchloric acid solution (0.1 M)

First 70% perchloric acid having molarity 11.6 M was used for the preparation of 0.1 M solution. Then 8.6 mL of HClO4 was pipetted and was further made up to 1000 mL using water. The solution was sonicated and filtered through 0.45-µm nylon membrane filter paper.


Standard drug and impurity solutions

First 100 mg of standard drug LFNM was weighed accurately and then put in a 100-mL volumetric flask. The drug was dissolved in approximately 75 mL of methanol. Then the final volume was made up to 100 mL with methanol. LFNM standard stock solution of 1000 µg/mL was obtained and 1 mL of it was accurately pipetted into a 100-mL volumetric flask and the final volume was made up to the mark to get LFNM working standard solution of 10 µg/mL.

The procedure explained for the preparation of LFNM standard solution was followed for the preparation of 10 µg/mL Imp A and Imp B separately. Ten milliliters of LFNM, Imp A, and Imp B were mixed separately and the mixture solution was used for method development.


Formulation solution

Ten tablets of LFNM (Lefno©–10 mg) were powdered using a sterile mortar and pestle to get a fine powder. From the tablet powder an amount of drug equivalent to 10 mg of LFNM was weighed accurately and was dissolved in 10 mL of methanol. The solution was kept in an orbital shaker for 15 min to dissolve the drug completely in solvent. Then it was filtered through 0.45-µm nylon membrane filter paper. Sample solution containing 1000 µg/mL LFNM was obtained. The sample stock solution was further diluted to get a working sample solution having a LFNM concentration of 250 µg/mL. This solution was used for the identification and estimation of LFNM and its impurities A and B in pharmaceutical formulations.


Method development

The standard drug solution containing 10 µg/mL concentrations of both impurities and LFNM was initially used for method development studies. The wavelength of the detector was maintained based on the iso-absorption wavelength obtained by UV spectrophotometer for LFNM and impurities A and B. System suitability, resolution, response factor (RF), and peak symmetry are the key factors that are taken into consideration for optimization of the mobile phase. The mobile phase was confirmed by changes in different solvent ratios, strength of organic modifiers, and pH. Separation was performed on different column configurations and manufactures. The flow rate of the mobile phase also changed in order to get better resolution. The conditions that give the best resolution, response, and peak symmetry were considered suitable conditions and these conditions were further validated for the applicability of the method for the estimation of LFNM and its related impurities A and B in pharmaceutical formulations.


Method validation

The method was validated as per ICH guidelines.25


System suitability

System suitability tests were carried out on a freshly prepared standard solution at three concentrations (10, 20, and 30 µg/mL) of the LFNM, Imp A, and Imp B to scrutinize the various optimized parameters such as retention time, relative RF (RRF), resolution, tailing factor, and USP plate count.


Linearity and range

Standard calibration curves were prepared with six calibrators over a concentration range of 0.5-3.0 µg/mL for LFNM, Imp A, and Imp B. The solutions were analyzed in triplicate in the optimized conditions. The data of peak area vs. drug concentration were analyzed using linear least square regression.


Precision

Precision was determined using six standard solutions containing 2 µg/mL LFNM, Imp A, and Imp B that were prepared and analyzed in the optimized method conditions. For intraday precision the solutions were prepared and analyzed six times on the same day at different time intervals and for interday precision the solutions were analyzed on three different days. Peak area responses of six replicate analyses were calculated in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD).


Ruggedness

Ruggedness of the method was studied by different analysts analyzing standard solutions containing 8 µg/mL LFNM, Imp A, and Imp B in the optimized conditions in the same laboratory conditions. %RSD values of peak area responses of six replicate analyses were calculated.


Robustness

Robustness of the proposed method was tested by slight variation in optimized method conditions. Change in ±5 nm of detector wavelength, ±5 mL variation in mobile phase organic and pH modifier, ±0.1 mL mobile phase flow rate, and ±0.1 factor of pH was studied. In each of the changed conditions, standard solutions containing 8 µg/mL LFNM, Imp A, and Imp B were analyzed in triplicate. The percentage change was calculated.


Recovery

The standard addition method was carried out for determining the accuracy of the method. For this, 50%, 100%, and 150% level concentrations were spiked into a known concentration of 1 µg/mL. Accuracy was determined by comparing the difference between the spiked value and the actual found value.


Force degradation studies


Acid hydrolysis

First 50 mg of drug was mixed with 50 mL of 0.1 N HCl solutions. After incubation for 12 h (AH 1) and 24 h (AH 2), the sample solution was neutralized and diluted up to standard concentration of 250 µg/mL and was analyzed in the developed method conditions.


Base hydrolysis

First 50 mg of drug was mixed with 50 mL of 0.1 N NaOH solutions. After incubation for 12 h (BH 1) and 24 h (BH 2), the sample solution was neutralized and diluted up to standard concentration of 250 µg/mL and was analyzed in the developed method conditions.


Oxidative degradation

First 50 mg of drug was mixed with 50 mL of 3% H2O2 solution. After incubation for 12 h (OD1) and 24 h (OD2), the sample solution was neutralized and diluted up to standard concentration of 250 µg/mL and was analyzed in the developed method conditions.


Photolytic degradation

First 50 mg of drug sample was kept in UV light (254 nm). After incubation for 12 h (PD 1) and 24 h (PD2), the sample solution was neutralized and diluted up to standard concentration of 250 µg/mL and was analyzed in the developed method conditions.


Thermal degradation

First 50 mg of drug sample was kept in an oven at 60°C. After incubation for 12 h (TD 1) and 24 h (TD 2), the sample solution was neutralized and diluted up to standard concentration of 250 µg/mL and was analyzed in the developed method conditions.


Formulation analysis

Formulation sample solution of 250 µg/mL prepared from marketed formulation tablets of LFNM (Lefno©–10 mg) was analyzed in triplicate in the optimized conditions. The peak area response obtained in the formulation analysis was used to determine the applicability of the developed method for the estimation of LFNM in pharmaceutical formulations.


RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The aim of the present work was to develop a simple, accurate reverse phase-HPLC-UV method for the quantification of LFNM and its related impurities A and B in pharmaceutical formulations. A literature survey reveals that no method was reported previously for the separation and qualitative and quantitative analysis of LFNM and its related impurities A and B. Hence the attempt made here is novel and has significant importance in simultaneous detection and quantification of LFNM and its related impurities A and B.

The mobile phase was confirmed by change in different solvent ratios, expected peak shape, and resolution achieved using the mobile phase composition of acetonitrile, methanol, and 0.1 M sodium perchlorate in the ratio of 40:30:30 (v/v). The pH of the mobile phase was adjusted to 4.6 using 0.1 M perchloric acid. The mobile phase was pumped at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min in isocratic elution. UV detection was carried out at a wavelength of 246 nm and separation was achieved on a Thermo Scientific Hypersil ODS C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm; 5 µm id). In the optimized conditions, well retained, resolved, and symmetric peaks are observed in the standard chromatogram containing 10 µg/mL LFNM, imp A, and imp B. The standard chromatogram obtained in the optimized conditions is given in Figure 2. The blank analysis was performed by analyzing the mobile phase and it confirmed that no detection was observed in the blank chromatogram (Figure 3). This proved that the method developed was specific and no mobile phase interference was observed in the chromatogram.

Prior to validation of the developed method, repeatability and system suitability were determined at standard solution concentrations of 10, 15, and 20 µg/mL. The standard solutions were prepared and were analyzed in the developed method conditions in triplicate. The system suitability conditions like plate count, asymmetric factor, and resolution were determined and found to be within the acceptance limits. The RF, RRF, and relative retention time were also calculated and found to be reproducible. Hence the developed method was found to be reproducible and all the system suitable parameters were within the acceptable limits (Table 1).

A six point linear calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range of 0.5-3.0 µg/mL. The linear regression equation was found to be y=50344x+2396.2 (R=0.999), y=33020x - 169.16 (R=0.999), and y=42853x + 606.76 (R=0.999) for LFNM, imp A, and imp B, respectively. A very high correlation coefficient value (more than 0.999) was observed for LFNM and both impurities, confirming that the method follows a linear relation accurately within the concentration range studied. The linearity results are given in Table 2 and the calibration curve is shown in Figure 4.

Precision of the developed method was tested by analyzing the standard solution at a concentration of 2.0 µg/mL. The solution was analyzed six times on the same day for intraday precision and on three different days for interday precision. The same concentration of solution was prepared and analyzed on three days by three different analysts for ruggedness. The %RSD was calculated and was found to be 0.383, 0.394, and 0.915 in intraday precision, 0.258, 0.236, and 0.281 in interday precision, and 0.578, 0.458, and 0.491 in the ruggedness study for impurities A and B and LFNM, respectively. The results confirm that the developed method was rugged and precise.

Robustness was tested by analyzing the standard solution in the optimized conditions that were changed deliberately. The percentage change in each changed condition was calculated and was found to be less than 2 (Table 3). This confirms that a small change in the analytical conditions did not influence the chromatographic separation and detection of LFNM and its related impurities A and B. Hence the method was found to be robust.

Accuracy of the method was determined by spiked recovery studies. For this, 50%, 100%, and 150% concentrations were spiked and analyzed in triplicate into a known concentration of 1 µg/mL. The percentage recovery was found to be within the acceptance limit of 98-102% (Table 4). The %RSD in each spiked level was calculated and was found to be within the acceptance limit of <2. Hence the proposed method was found to be accurate.

The standard drug was exposed to different stress conditions and was analyzed in the optimized conditions and the results were compared with those of an unstressed standard (Figure 5). The percentage degradation was found to be very high in the acid degradation study. In this condition the drug was found to be degraded up to 2.518% in 12 h and 10.808% in 24 h of stress exposure. The number of degradation products was also found to be high in this condition. Three additional peaks along with both impurities and LFNM were detected in acid condition (Figure 6). In the base degradation study, the drug was found to be degraded up to 2.19% and 8.619% after 12 and 24 h of stress exposure, respectively. One additional peak after 12 h and two additional peaks after 24 h (Figure 7) of stress exposure along with LFNM and both impurities were detected in base conditions. In oxidative degradation, very low degradation of 1.14% was observed at 12 h with no additional degradation compounds, whereas after 24 h one additional peak was detected and the % degradation was found to be 5.289 (Figure 7). In the photolytic degradation, 3.13% degradation with one additional detection was observed at 12 h and two additional degradation products with % degradation of 8.887 (Figure 9) were observed. In the thermal degradation, 5.581% degradation was observed and the chromatogram shows one additional detection along with LFNM and both impurities (Figure 9). In all degradation conditions, the % degradation was found to increase with an increase in time. The % degradation and the formation of a number of degradation products increased with an increase in the stress degradation time from 12 h to 24 h in all the conditions studied. The additional detection observed in the stress degradation study along with LFNM and both impurities studied may be unknown impurities formed or the compound degraded due to the stress study. These additional compounds were not observed in the standard unstressed chromatogram. Both the impurities and the degradation products were successfully separated in the optimized conditions and hence the method can separate and quantify the potential impurities in LFNM. The forced degradation results are given in Table 5.

The formulation sample solution of LFNM was analyzed in the developed method conditions in triplicate. The peak area response of LFNM was used for determination of the applicability of the developed method for the analysis of LFNM in pharmaceutical formulations. A standard regression equation was used for the determination of formulation assay and the % assay was found to be 98.735%. In the formulation chromatogram both the impurities were detected (Figure 11) and other chromatographic impurities and formulation excipients did not interfere with the results. Hence the developed method was found to be suitable for the quantification of LFNM and can separate and analyze impurities A and B.


CONCLUSION

A simple, validated, and fast stability indicating HPLC method is established for quantification of LFNM and its potential USP impurities A and B. In the literature no method was found to be established for the simultaneous quantification of LFNM and its potential impurities A and B. Hence the method represents the first report about a stability indicating method for the determination of LFNM in the presence of impurities. The proposed method achieves satisfactory separation of LFNM from impurities and the degradation products, an extended linear range, and rapid analysis time. A high recovery of LFNM in formulation was obtained. The proposed method ensured precise and accurate determination of LFNM in pharmaceutical formulations. The excipients present in the formulation were not interfering in the method. Hence the method is simple, convenient, and suitable for analyzing LFNM in bulk and in pharmaceutical formulations in the presence of its potential impurities A and B.


Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

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