Graphene-Based Sensor for Voltammetric Quantification of Dapoxetine Hydrochloride: A Drug for Premature Ejaculation in Formulation and Human Plasma

Abstract

Nano-materials based on two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals are considered to be very promising for various life-science and medical applications. Dapoxetine has medical features for the treatment of premature ejaculation in men. So, carbon paste electrode modified with pristine graphene (GR/CPE) was used as an electrochemical sensor for fast and selective determination of Dapoxetine drug in “Joypox tablets” and in human plasma. This sensor is made easy with good sensitivity and reproducibility. Graphene was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Zero point charge of 5.5 for graphene was also determined. Furthermore, the surface morphology and electrochemical properties of the GR/CPE were studied with the help of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. The enhanced of peak current as a sequence of the excellent adsorption of Dapoxetine at GR/CPE surface compared to that at bare CPE was due to the unique sp2-hybridized single-atom-layer structure of graphene. π-π interactions and H-bond might also be responsible for the adsorption of Dapoxetine on graphene. LOQ value (2.25 × 10−9 M in human plasma), repeatability, reproducibility and selectivity were adequate to quantify Dapoxetine in pharmaceutical forms and for its pharmacokinetic study.