A simple and sensitive HPTLC method for quantitative analysis of artemether and lumefantrine in tablets

Abstract

A simple, sensitive, precise, rapid, and reliable HPTLC method for quantitative analysis of artemether and lumefantrine in tablets has been established and validated. The method uses aluminum foil plates precoated with silica gel 60 F 254 as the stationary phase and nhexaneethyl acetate 8:2 ( v/v ) as mobile phase. Bands were scanned at 357 nm, the wavelength of maximum absorption. The method is linear ( r 2 > 0.995), precise (RSD < 2%), accurate (average recovery of 100.5% for artemether and 99.5% for lumefantrine), specific, and robust. The artemether content of the tablets varied from 98.50 to 102.45% and that of lumefantrine from 97.80 to 100.64%. The limits of detection and quantification for artemether were 50 and 150 ng per band, respectively, and those for lumefantrine were 300 and 900 ng per band, respectively. The suitability of this HPTLC method for quantitative analysis of artemether and lumefantrine was proved by validation in accordance with the requirements of pharmaceutical regulatory stan...