Development and Validation of Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Method for Quantification of Sibutramine in Dietary Supplements

Abstract

The use of dietary supplements (DSs) has dramatically increased in recent decades. However, around 20% of these products are reported to contain pharmacologically active undeclared compounds, most of which could expose consumers to serious side effects. According to recent data, some of the most commonly detected undeclared compounds are also considered doping and are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). One of the most frequently detected undeclared substances in DSs used for promoting weight loss is sibutramine. In 2011, all medicines containing sibutramine were urgently withdrawn from Europe and US markets because of serious side effects. In the present study, in order to detect and quantify sibutramine in DSs, a rapid, sensitive, and reliable gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed. The method was validated according to the ICH guidelines and demonstrated good linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.181 μg/mL and 0.5488 μg/mL, respectively. The method was applied to analyze 50 DSs promoting weight loss, fat burning, and performance enhancement. Sibutramine was detected in six of them in a range of 16.59–14,854.94 μg/per capsule. The high concentrations of sibutramine detected in some samples raise concerns about the potential health risks associated with the use of adulterated DSs. The proposed GC-MS method could be used successfully in the quality control of DSs or in different research programs, contributing to safety and the prevention of associated side effects.