In vitro Comparative Forced Degradation Study of Different Brands and Active form of Montelukast sodium using UV Spectrophotometer

 

Md. Jakaria*, Md. Hazrat Ali, Md. Areeful Haque, Mohammed Abu Sayeed, Shoayeb Ahmed

Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), Chawkbazar, Chittagong-4203, Bangladesh

*Corresponding Author E-mail: pharmajakaria@rocketmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

The objective of this study was to develop the degradation studies of different brands of montelukast sodium in the market and its active form. Forced degradation is a process that involves degradation of drug products and drug substances at conditions more severe than accelerated conditions and thus generates degradation products that can be studied to determine the stability of the molecule. Montelukast Sodium (1-[[[(1R)-1-[3-[(1E)-2-(7-chloro-2-quinolinyl) ethenyl] phenyl]-3-[2-(1-hydroxy-1- methylethyl) phenyl] -propyl] thio] methyl] cyclopropaneacetic acid, monosodium salt is a white colored powder and it is freely soluble in ethanol, methanol, and water. It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and, used for the maintenance treatment of asthma and to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies This drug was subjected to different stress conditions as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines (ICH). An ultraviolet UV spectroscopic method was developed for analysis of the drug in the presence of the degradation products. Methanol was used as a solvent. The amount of degraded drugs was calculated by taking the absorbance at 285 nm. According to the assay limit of USP specified that the content should not be less than 95% and not more than 105% of labelled amount. All brands and its active form were degraded on basic pH and on acidic pH. In addition to heat exposure all brands and active form were also degraded. It was concluded that all brands and active form of montelukast degraded from ranges for all the stresses applied for degradation studies.

 

KEYWORDS: Degradation studies, cyclopropaneacetic acid, montelukast sodium, leukotriene receptor, assay.

 

 


1. INTRODUCTION:

Chemical stability of pharmaceutical molecules is a matter of great concern as it affects the safety and efficacy of the drug product. The FDA and ICH guidance’s state the requirement of stability testing data to understand how the quality of a drug substance and drug product changes with time under the influence of various environmental factors Knowledge of the stability of molecule helps in selecting proper formulation and package as well as providing proper storage conditions and shelf life, which is essential for regulatory documentation. Forced degradation is a process that involves degradation of drug products and drug substances at conditions more severe than accelerated conditions and thus generates degradation products that can be studied to determine the stability of the molecule.

 

The ICH guideline states that stress testing is intended to identify the likely degradation products which further helps in determination of the intrinsic stability of the molecule and establishing degradation pathways, and to validate the stability indicating procedures used.[1-5]

 

Montelukast Sodium (1-[[[(1R)-1-[3-[(1E)-2-(7-chloro-2-quinolinyl) ethenyl] phenyl]-3-[2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl) phenyl]-propyl] thio] methyl] cyclopropaneacetic acid, monosodium salt is a white colored powder and it is freely soluble in ethanol, methanol, and water. Molecular weight of Montelukast Sodium is 608.2 g/mol and formula is C35H35ClNO3 S.Na., for structure refer figure 1.[6-7] It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and, used for the maintenance treatment of asthma and to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies.[8-9] The drug is commercially available in various forms of once daily oral dosage formulations including oral granules. In oral dosage form, each packet contains Montelukast Sodium equivalent to 10 mg of Montelukast.[4]

 

 


Figure 1: Structure of Montelukast sodium

 

Several analytical methods have been reported for determination of Montelukast including derivative spectroscopic [10], by colorimetry [11], by flouorimetry [12], by TLC [13], by HPTLC [14], by simultaneous UV determination in combination drug formulation [15], by voltametry [16], by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [17] and by LCMS.[18] The aim of the present work was to develop and validate a simple UV spectrophotometric method to be applied for analysis of montelukast sodium degradation in tablets and its active form as per ICH guidelines, which serves as a tool for the quality control of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Our research group has done these types of degradation studies of different brand drugs such as atorvastatin, rabeprazole, amytriptyline, domperidone [2-5] and these are very helpful for health care professionals.[19-21]

 

2. EXPERIMENTAL:

2.1. Reagents

Analytical grade reagents were used 0.1 N sodium hydroxide, 0.1 N hydrochloric acid, de-mineralized water and distilled water.

 

2.2. Glass wares

Volumetric flask, funnel, beakers, Measuring cylinder, pipette, and stirrer used were of Pyrex type and were washed with chromic acid followed by thorough washing with water and finally rinsed with distilled water which was freshly prepared in the laboratory.

 

2.3. Instruments

Theses include

Spectrophotometer: UV-Vis spectrophotometer, UV mini-1240, Shimadzu.

     Corvettes

     Weighing Balance: Precision balance, LF224DR, Shinko Denshi Co., ltd.

     Water Bath: Stainless-steel, thermo station, HH-S

 

2.4. Wavelength Selection

About 100 ppm of montelukast sodium was accurately prepared in methanol. The wavelength maxima (λmax) was observed at 285 nm and this wavelength was adopted for absorbance measurement.

 

2.5. Preparation of 0.1 N Sodium Hydroxide

0.4 grams of sodium hydroxide were taken and transferred it in a 100ml volumetric flask and dissolved it in small quantity of water and finally make up the volume up to the mark of the flask with de-mineralized water.

 

2.6. Preparation of 0.1 N Hydrochloric Acid

8.36 ml analytical grade hydrochloric acid (37%, 12N) was taken in a volumetric flask and de-mineralized water was added to making up to the volume.

 

2.7. Standard Stock Solution

All tablets of brand were labelled to contain montelukast 10 mg per tablet. Showing manufacturing and expire date of different brands and active form (Table 1). Weigh and finally crushed tablets accurately for making primary solutions of Montelukast 10 mg, Aeron (0.2482 gm) Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited., Montene 10 (0.1738 gm) Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Lumona 10 (0.3042 gm) Eskayef Bangladesh Ltd., Monas 10 (0.2502 gm) ACME Laboratories Ltd. and active form (0.10 gm) equivalent to 10 mg were weighed accurately and introduced in 100 ml volumetric flasks. Methanol was added and shaken vigorously and was making up the volume up to 100 ml to make the strength of the solution 100 ppm in 100 ml.

 

2.8. Procedure

2.8.1. For Acid

To study the effect of acid, 5 ml of 100 ppm solution of each brand and active form was taken in five separated test tubes, then 5ml of 0.1N HCl is added in each test tube. They were then left for a period of 1 hour. Upon completion of the time period, solutions were transferred to a cuvette separately and then absorbance of the solutions was recorded at the wavelength of 285 nm.

 

2.8.2. For Base

To study the effect of base, 5 ml of 100 ppm solution of each brand and active form was taken in five separated test tubes, then 5 ml of 0.1N NaOH is added in each test tube. The samples were then left for a period of 1 hour. Upon completion of time period, solutions were transferred to a cuvette separately and then absorbance of the solutions was recorded at the wavelength of 285 nm.

 

2.8.3. For Heat

To study the effect of heat, 5 ml of 100 ppm solution of each brand and active was taken in five separated test tubes, each containing 5 ml of water, then place these solutions in water bath for 1 hour and absorbance of the solutions was recorded at the wavelength of 285 nm.

 

3. RESULT:

This research was performed with the purpose to compare the degree of degradation in four different brands and active form of montelukast sodium 10 mg tablet. Table 2 shows the variation in absorbance after the effect of different degradation parameters. After acidic pH and basic pH effect, percent of the assay was found 94.85%-43.41% (Table 3, 4 and Figure 2, 3). In addition to heat exposure percent of the assay was found 69.97%-90.74% (Table 5 and Figure 4).

 

 


Figure 2: Showing acidic pH effect on the % of the assay

 

Figure 3: Showing basic pH effect on the % of the assay

 

Figure 4: Showing heat effect on the % of the assay

 

Table 1: Showing manufacturing and expire date of different brands and active form

Sl No.

Brand name

Mfg. Date

Exp. Date

1.

Aeron

August, 2014

August, 2016

2.

Montene

September, 2014

August, 2016

3.

Lumona

July, 2014

July, 2017

4.

Monas

December, 2014

December, 2016

5.

Active form

November, 2014

November, 2015

 

 

Table 2: Showing absorbance of drug in different parameters    

Sl. No.

Brand name

Absorbance of standard

Absorbance after acidic pH effect

Absorbance after basic pH effect

Absorbance after heat effect

1.

Aeron

2.971

1.533

2.735

2.494

2.

Montene

2.971

1.527

2.735

2.440

3.

Lumona

3.029

1.315

2.705

2.308

4.

Monas

2.971

1.385

2.404

2.079

5.

Active form

2.971

1.508

2.818

2.696

 

 

Table 3: Showing effect of acidic pH on different brands and active form

Sl. No.

Brands

% Assay

1.

Aeron

51.59%

2.

Montene

51.39%

3.

Lumona

43.41%

4.

Monas

46.61%

5.

Active form

50.75%

 

 

Table 4: Showing effect of basic pH on different brands and active form

Sl. No.

Brands

% Assay

1.

Aeron

92.05%

2.

Montene

92.05%

3.

Lumona

89.30%

4.

Monas

80.91%

5.

Active form

94.85%

 

 

Table 5: Showing effect of heat on different brands and active form

Sl No.

Brands

% Assay

1.

Aeron

83.94%

2.

Montene

82.12%

3.

Lumona

76.19%

4.

Monas

69.97%

5.

Active form

90.74%

 

 


 

4. DISCUSSION:

The purpose of degradation studies was to investigate those changes, to get a shelf life of the drug product and to recommend storage conditions, which will be applicable to all future batches of the tested drug product manufactured and packaged under similar circumstances.[3] Montelukast was acidic drug, in acidic medium percent of the assay less than basic medium. Forced degradation study of montelukast was done by HPLC and result was found that montelukast was degraded in effect of acidic pH, basic pH and heat.[22] In our forced degradation study of montelukast was done by UV spectrophotometer. The limit of the assay by USP specified that the content should not be less than 95% and not more than 105% of labelled amount. According to this USP specified limit, all brands were degraded in acidic and basic pH. After the heat exposure all brands were also degraded. Effect of acidic pH, basic pH and heat exposure no brands of montelukast does comply with this USP specified limit.

 

5. CONCLUSION:

Montelukast was found to be degraded in almost all types of stress conditions and was found to be less stable. It was used to study the stress-degradation studies as per ICH guidelines. The method was used is accurate and precise as well as reproducible and economical and can be successfully used degradation studies of different dosage form. It was concluded that all brands degraded from ranges for all the stresses applied for degradation studies.

 

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The authors greatly acknowledge to the management system of Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), for the supports of valuable instruments and equipments during period of laboratory works.

 

 

7. REFERENCE:

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3.       Jakaria M et al. Comparative degradation study of different brands of Rabeprazole tablet using UV-spectrophotometer. American Journal of Chemistry and Applications. 2(2); 2015: 32-35.

4.       Jakaria M et al. In vitro comparative degradation study between two brands of Amytriptyline Hydrochloride Tablet Using UV Spectrophotometer. International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research.6(1); 2015: 209-212.

5.       Jakaria M et al. In vitro Comparative Degradation Study of Different Brands of Domperidone Using UV Spectrophotometer. British Journal of Research. 2(1); 2015: 042-047.

6.       Pallavi K et al. Validated UV Spectroscopic Method for Estimation of Montelukast Sodium from Bulk and Tablet Formulations. International Journal of Advances in  Pharmacy, Biology and Chemistry. 1(4); 2012: 450-453.

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11.    Shanmukha Kumar JV et al. Spectrophotometric methods for estimation of leukotriene receptor antagonist in bulk dosage forms. 2010; 3: 166-171.

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13.    Smita Sharma MC et al. Development and validation of TLC densitometry method for simultaneous quantification of Montelukast sodium and Levocetirizine dihydrochloride pharmaceutical solid dosage form. Der Pharmacia Lettre. 2(1); 2010: 489- 494.

14.    Sane RT et al. HPTLC Determination of Montelukast Sodium in Bulk Drug and in Pharmaceutical Preparations. Journal of Planar Chromatography. 17; 2004: 75-78.

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16.    Alsarra IM et al. Voltammetric determination of Montelukast sodium in dosage forms and human plasma, II-Farmaco. 60; 2005: 563–567.

17.    Radhakrishnaa T et al. Simultaneous determination of Montelukast and Loratadine by HPLC and derivative spectrophotometric methods, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 31(2); 2003:359-368.

18.    Vijaya Bharathi D et al. Quantification of montelukast, a selective cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (CysLT1) antagonist in human plasma by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry: validation and its application to a human pharmacokinetic study. Biomedical Chromatography. 23(8); 2009: 804-810.

19.    Naveed S et al. Degradation studies of ampicillin in API and formulations J App Pharm. 6(3); 2014: 314-321.

20.    Naveed S et al. Degradation  Study of Five Different Brands of Ciprofloxacin Using UV-Visible Spectrophotometer and Their Comparitive study. Int. Res. Jour of Pharm. 5(3); 2014: 189-190.

21.    Naveed S et al. Degradation Study of Available Brands of Metformin Karachi Using UV Spectrophotometer. JDiabetes Metabolism. 5; 2014: 328.  

22.    Thesia DU et al. Stability Indicating HPLC Method Development for Estimation of Montelukast Sodium and Acebrophylline in Combined Dosage Form. Journal Club for Pharmaceutical Sciences. 1(I); 2014: 99-114.

 

 

 

 

Received on 09.12.2014       Accepted on 11.01.2015     

© Asian Pharma Press All Right Reserved

Asian J. Pharm. Ana. 5(1): Jan.- March 2015; Page 26-30

DOI: 10.5958/2231-5675.2015.00005.8