A new HPLC methodology for the analysis of metronidazole and dexibuprofen: Application to pharmacokinetic study and comparative greenness assessment

Abstract

For the simultaneous analysis of metronidazole and dexibuprofen in real human plasma samples, a new HPLC method with a 6-minute analysis time was developed. Furthermore, the method was used to investigate their pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. The internal standard was chosen to be guaifenesin (IS). Following acetonitrile precipitation of plasma proteins, the drugs were chromatographically separated using a Zorbax Eclipse® C 18 column with acetonitrile: water (pH 4 with aqueous phosphoric acid) gradient mixture. Metronidazole and dexibuprofen calibration curves were found to be linear over the ranges of 0.5–20 and 1–30 µg/mL, respectively, with good correlation coefficients. The analysis of quality control samples revealed outstanding accuracy and precision. Drug stability was also examined throughout storage and processing, and all coefficients of variation were under 8.23 %. After this optimized method was successfully applied to plasma samples and the pharmacokinetic parameters of each of the targeted medicines were examined separately and compared to their parameters when they were administered concurrently. The outcomes supported each drug's significant impact on the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the other. Using five metrics, including the Analytical Eco-scale, Analytical GREEnness Calculator (AGREE), RGB-12, Hexagon, and AGREE-prep, the environmental impact of the suggested approach and some reported methods utilized for the determination of either medicines in biological matrix were evaluated. The promising results demonstrated lower environmental and health risks associated with sample preparation and analysis.