A Validated Stability-indicating Reverse Phase HPLC Assay Method for the Determination of Memantine Hydrochloride Drug Substance with UV-Detection Using Precolumn Derivatization Technique

Abstract

This present paper deals with the development and validation of a stability indicating high performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of Memantine hydrochloride. Memantine hydrochloride was derivatized with 0.015 M 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC) and 0.5 M borate buffer solution by keeping it at room temperature for about 20 minutes and the chromatographic separation achieved by injecting 10 μL of the derivatized mixture into a Waters HPLC system with photodiode array detector using a kromasil C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm), 5 μ, The mobile phase consisting of 80% acetonitrile and 20% phosphate buffer solution and a flow rate of 2 milliliter/minute. The Memantine was eluted at approximately 7.5 minutes. The volume of FMOC used in derivatization, concentration of FMOC and derivatization time was optimized and used. Forced degradation studies were performed on bulk sample of Memantine hydrochloride using acid (5.0 Normal (N) hydrochloric acid), base (1.0 N sodium hydroxide), oxidation (30% hydrogen peroxide), thermal (105^°C), photolytic and humidity conditions. The developed LC method was validated with respect to specificity, precision (% RSD about 0.70%), linearity (linearity of range about 70-130 μg/mL), ruggedness (Overall % RSD about 0.35%), stability in analytical solution (Cumulative % RSD about 0.11% after 1450 min.) and robustness.

Keywords

memantine hydrochloride HPLC precolumn derivatization FMOC assay

Introduction

Memantine hydrochloride (1-amino3, 5-dimethyladamantane hydrochloride) (Fig. 1) is a tricyclic amine chemically and pharmacologically related to the antiviral prototype amantadine and its α-methyl derivative rimantadine. Amantadine and rimantadine have been approved in the U.S. for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza. Amantadine is also approved for the treatment of Parkinsonism. Memantine is used in Parkinson's disease and movement disorders.¹ Recently, it has been demonstrated to be useful in dementia syndrome.² Memantine is a noncompetitive NMDA antagonist in clinical use for many years in Europe. It produces few side effects, even among the geriatric patients, who are typical candidates for this drug.^3,4

Figure 1.

Structure of memantine hydrochloride. Molecular formula: C₁₂ H₂₁N-HCl: molecular mass: 215.76 (free base: 179.20): partition coefficient, log(P): 3.28: basicity. pK_a: 10.42: solubility of the hydrochloride salt: 3.5% in a pH 6.5 aqueous solution at 25 ^°C.

The NMDA receptor, a glutamate receptor subtype, may play a significant role in the development and maintenance of dependence on opoids, nicotine, and cocaine.^5,6 In laboratory animals, low doses of NMDA antagonists inhibit the development of opioid tolerance and dependence,⁷ and attenuate established morphine (mμ) opioid tolerance.⁸ It has been suggested that the development of tolerance, dependence and/or sensitization to virtually all psychoactive drugs can be attenuated or abolished by pretreatment with NMDA antagonist.⁹ As such, Memantine is a promising agent for the treatment of substance use disorders. Unlike other noncompetitive NMDA antagonists, such as phencyclidine and ketamine, memantine has rarely been associated with the significant adverse side effects of agitation, confusion, and psychosis.^10,11

Memantine free base, which is both highly basic (pKa 10.42) and lipophilic (log P 3.28), suggests that it may show binding to various derivatization agent like FMOC, dansyl chloride etc., due to ionic interaction of its basic primary amine group. Since Memantine lacks useful chromophores, it cannot be readily assayed by HPLC-UV techniques.¹² Consequently, Memantine has to be derivatized for HPLC-fluoresence measurement,^{13

15} determined by capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect UV detection,¹⁶ measured by GC without derivatization,^{17

20} or for enhanced sensitivity derivatized and analyzed by GC.^{21

24} Dansyl chloride and 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate react readily with most primary and secondary amines in alkaline buffer, and it is regarded as the derivatizing reagent of choice in the preparation of highly fluorescent compounds.^25,26

The purpose of this study was to develop, optimize and validate derivatized method with direct UV-detection for the quantitative determination of Memantine hydrochloride drug substance. This method also has advantages over some literature technique as mentioned above references,^{13

20} like here Mementine hydrochloride response is measured by direct UV detection with enhanced sensitivity and method is simpler, highly reproducible, specific and accurate, compare to using complex techniques like use of fluorescence detector, or by using capillary zone electrophoresis technique or GC technique.

Experimental

Reagents and chemicals

Hexylamine (99%) was purchased from Aldrich (USA), 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (98% GR grade) was purchased from Fluka, Acetonitrile (HPLC grade), Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (AR grade), Boric acid (AR grade), Potassium chloride (AR grade), Sodium hydroxide (AR grade), Orthophosphoric acid (88% AR grade) were purchased from Qualigens (India) and Memantine hydrochloride was obtained from Ranbaxy Labs. Ltd. (India). All the above materials were used without any further purification. Water (HPLC grade) was used for the preparation of solutions.

Chromatography

The analytical separations were carried out on a Waters HPLC system, equipped with a 2695 separation module and 2996 photodiode array detector. The analytical column was a kromasil C18 (150 × 4.6 mm) 5 μ, (Flexit). The mobile phase consisted of premixed and degassed solution of buffer and acetonitrile in the ratio of [20:80] [v/v]. The mobile phase was filtered through a 0.45 μm membrane filter. The diluent contains premixed and degassed solution of 0.05 Molar (M) borate buffer pH 8.5 and acetonitrile in the ratio of [50:50] (v/v). The flow rate was 2 mL/min and runtime was 12 minute. Column temperature was maintained at 30^°C. UV detection was measured at 265 nm and the volume of sample injected was 10 μL. The control of the HPLC system and data collection was by Empower software.

Derivatization process of standard and sample solution

Standard and all sample stock solutions at 1 gram per liter (g/L) were prepared by dissolving Memantine hydrochloride in diluent. The derivatization process was carried out by transferring 5 mL of standard/sample stock solution into 50 mL volumetric flask. Add 4 mL each of 0.015 M FMOC solution and 0.5 M borate buffer solution. Shake well and keep it at room temperature for 20 minutes. Make up the volume with diluent and inject. The final concentration is 0.1 g/L.

Method optimization parameters

Some chromatographic parameters such as derivatization process time optimization, FMOC volume optimization, FMOC concentration optimization were investigated to obtain a good, specific and accurate method.

Derivatization process time optimization for standard and sample solution

Memantine hydrochloride sample solution was treated as procedure given above (under derivatization process of standard and sample solution) by keeping solution at room temperature for 0,5,10,15,20,30 and 60 minutes to optimize it. The optimized reaction time was found by plotting the peak area counts of Memantine versus the reaction time. After 5 minutes the peak area counts observed to be linear with respect to time.

FMOC volume optimization for standard and sample solution

Solution was treated as procedure given above (under derivatization process of standard and sample solution) by adding different volume of FMOC solution i.e. 1 mL, 2 mL, 3 mL, 4 mL, 5 mL and 10 mL to ensure complete reaction of Memantine hydrochloride. The optimized volume was found by plotting the peak area counts of Memantine versus the volume of FMOC added in mL. After 2 mL the peak area counts observed to be linear with respect to added volume.

FMOC concentration optimization for standard and sample solution

Solution was treated as procedure given above (under derivatization process of standard and sample solution) by adding different concentration of FMOC solution i.e. 0.01 M, 0.015 M, 0.02 M, 0.04 M and 0.06 M to ensure complete reaction of Memantine HCL. The optimized concentration was found by plotting the peak area counts of Memantine versus the FMOC concentration in M. Peak area counts observed to be linear with respect to each FMOC concentration.

Results and Discussion

Method optimization parameters

Based on method optimization parameter experiment, it can easily conclude that selected derivatization process time (i.e. 20 minutes), FMOC volume (i.e. 4 mL) and concentration of FMOC (i.e. 0.015 M) were sufficient for derivatization of Memantine hydrochloride drug substance.

Method validation

Specificity

Sample solution was analyzed as per the method and purity of Memantine peak was checked. The purity data of Memantine peak indicates that the peak is homogeneous (Fig. 2).

Figure 2.

Chromatogram and Peak purity plot of Memantine in sample.

ii.

Sample solution spiked with the known related substances of Memantine hydrochloride was analyzed in triplicate and the purity of Memantine peak was checked. The purity data of Memantine peak indicates that the peak is homogeneous and has no co eluting peaks indicating specificity of the method (Fig. 3). The specificity of the method is also indicated by % difference of 0.1% between the mean of assay values of unspiked and spiked samples as shown in Table 1. (Acceptance criteria: % Difference should not be more than 1).

Figure 3.

Chromatogram and Peak purity plot of Memantine in sample spiked with known related substances of Memantine hydrochloride drug substance.

Table 1.

Specificity.

Sample	n	Mean assay (% w/w)	% difference
Unspiked sample	3	100.2
			0.1
Spiked sample	3	100.3

All the above studies indicate that the method is specific.

Forced degradation study

A forced degradation study was carried out on Memantine hydrochloride drug substance according to the following conditions i.

Hydrolytic and Oxidative degradation

Sample was separately treated with 5 N hydrochloric acid, 1 N sodium hydroxide and 30% w/v hydrogen peroxide solutions. Solutions of these samples were prepared as per the conditions given in Table 2 and analyzed by the proposed method.

Table 2.

Forced degradation studies.

Mode of degradation	Condition	Assay (% w/w)	% degradation w.r.t. control	Purity angle	Purity threshold
Control	No treatment	99.5	−	−	−
Acid degradation 5 N Hydrochloric acid/10 mL	Initial	88.8	11	0.058	1.013
Alkali degradation 1 N sodium hydroxide/5 mL	Room temperature (RT)/5 min.	77.0	23	0.062	1.047
Peroxide degradation 30% w/v Hydrogen peroxide/10 mL	80^°C/15 minute	70.8	29	0.061	1.045
Thermal degradation	105^°C/114 hrs. and 24 min.	100.5	−	0.070	1.014
Photolytic degradation	2600 Lux/114 hrs. and 17 min.	100.8	−	0.063	1.013
Humidity degradation	25^°C/92% RH/114 hrs. and 19 min.	99.4	−	0.061	1.012

ii.

Thermal degradation

Sample was subjected to thermal degradation by keeping at 105^°C for 114 h and 24 min., followed by analysis by the proposed method.

iii.

Photolytic degradation

Photolytic degradation study was carried out by exposing the sample to light in a photolytic chamber at 2600 Lux for 114 h and 17 min., followed by analysis by the proposed method.

iv.

Humidity degradation

Sample was subjected to humidity degradation by keeping at 25^°C at 92% RH for 114 h and 19 min., followed by analysis by the proposed method.

Using peak purity test, the purity of Memantine peak was checked at every stage of the above mentioned study. The peak purity data show that the Memantine peak is homogeneous and has no co eluting peaks indicating that the method is stability indicating and specific. Data is summarized in Table 2.

Precision

System precision

Six replicate injections of standard solution were given into the HPLC system. Data along with the % RSD of area counts for Memantine peak shown in Table 3 indicate an acceptable level of precision for the analytical system. (Acceptance criteria: Relative standard deviation (RSD) should not be more than 1.0%).

Table 3.

System precision.

Injection no.	Area counts (μV*sec.)
1	2497768
2	2501106
3	2505389
4	2527928
5	2542869
6	2512614
Mean	2514612
Standard deviation (SD)	17498
RSD (%)	0.70

Method precision

Six samples of a single batch of Memantine hydrochloride drug substance were analyzed as per the proposed method. Data is shown in Table 4. The % RSD value indicates that the method has an acceptable level of precision. (Acceptance criteria: RSD should not be more than 2%).

Table 4.

Method precision.

Sample no.	Assay (% w/w)
1	100.5
2	100.2
3	100.0
4	100.4
5	100.0
6	99.8
Mean	100.2
SD	0.27
RSD (%)	0.27

Linearity of response

The linearity of the method should be tested in order to demonstrate a proportional relationship of response versus analyte concentration over the working range. It is usual practice to perform linearity experiments over a wide range of analyte. This gives confidence that the response and concentration are proportional and consequently ensures that calculations can be performed using a single reference standard/working standard, rather than the equation of a calibration line. The linearity of response for Memantine hydrochloride was determined in the range of 70.70 μg/mL to 131.31 μg/mL. Data shown in Table 5 and represented graphically in Figure 4 indicate that the response is linear over the specified range. (Acceptance criteria: Correlation coefficient should not be less than 0.999).

Table 5.

Linearity of response.

Conc. (μg/mL)	Average area counts (μV*sec.)
70.70	1782336
80.80	1976560
90.91	2276081
101.01	2554214
111.11	2788688
121.21	3017940
131.31	3281125
Slope	25073
Intercept	-7225
CC	0.99911

Abbreviation: CC, Correlation coefficient.

Figure 4.

Linearity plot of memantine hydrochloride

Ruggedness

Method ruggedness was verified by analyzing six samples of a single batch of Memantine hydrochloride drug substance by two different analysts using two different instruments and columns on different days. The mean standard deviation and % RSD for the two sets of data is shown in Table 6. Ruggedness of the method is shown by the overall RSD value of 0.35% between the two sets of data. (Acceptance criteria: Overall RSD should not be more than 2%).

Table 6.

Ruggedness.

Sample no.	Assay (% w/w)
Sample no.	Set I	Set II
1	100.5	100.5
2	100.2	100.6
3	100.0	100.9
4	100.4	100.1
5	100.0	99.9
6	99.8	100.7
Mean	100.2	100.5
SD	0.27	0.38
RSD (%)	0.27	0.38
Overall mean	100.3
Overall SD	0.35
Overall RSD (%)	0.35
Set	I	II
Analyst	1	2
Instrument no.	A	B
Column no.	X	Y

Stability in analytical solution

A sample solution of Memantine hydrochloride drug substance was prepared and kept at room temperature. It was analyzed initially and at different time intervals. Data is shown in Table 7. As the cumulative % RSD up to 1450 min., meets the acceptance criterion, it is concluded that the sample is stable in analytical solution for at least 24 hrs. (Acceptance criteria: Cumulative RSD should not be more than 2%).

Table 7.

Stability in analytical solution.

Time (min.)	Area counts (μV*sec.)	Cumulative RSD (%)
Initial	2445873	−
61	2445792	0.00
123	2446698	0.02
184	2442988	0.07
306	2444389	0.06
427	2445639	0.05
548	2446246	0.05
730	2444538	0.05
911	2444743	0.05
1093	2445827	0.04
1274	2442652	0.05
1356	2442425	0.06
1399	2441395	0.07
1450	2436921	0.11

Robustness

Robustness of the method was investigated by deliberately varying the instrumental conditions such as flow rate (±10%), organic content in mobile phase (±2%), wavelength of detection (±5 nm) and column oven temperature (35^°C), Samples were analyzed under each condition and assay of Memantine hydrochloride calculated. The mean standard deviation and % RSD are shown in Table 8. Robustness of the method is indicated by the overall RSD values between the data of Set I and data at each variable condition. (Acceptance criteria: Overall RSD should not be more than 2%).

Table 8.

Robustness.

S.no.	Assay (% w/w)
S.no.	Set I	Set II	Set III	Set IV	Set V	Set VI	Set VII	Set VIII
1	100.5	101.0	100.8	100.4	100.2	100.4	100.4	99.9
2	100.2	100.8	101.0	100.7	100.6	100.2	100.3	100.4
3	100.0	100.3	100.7	101.1	100.8	100.0	100.0	100.7
4	100.4	−	−	−	−	−	−	−
5	100.0	−	−	−	−	−	−	−
6	99.8	−	−	−	−	−	−	−
Mean	100.2	100.7	100.8	100.7	100.5	100.2	100.2	100.3
SD	0.27	0.36	0.15	0.35	0.31	0.20	0.21	0.40
RSD (%)	0.27	0.36	0.15	0.35	0.31	0.20	0.21	0.40
Overall mean		100.3	100.4	100.3	100.3	100.2	100.2	100.2
Overall SD		0.39	0.41	0.40	0.32	0.23	0.24	0.31
Overall RSD (%)		0.39	0.41	0.40	0.32	0.23	0.24	0.31

Set I, Control (Proposed method); Set II, Variation in flow rate (-10%); Set III, Variation in flow rate (+10%); Set IV, Variation in organic content in mobile phase (-2%); Set V, Variation in organic content in mobile phase (+2%); Set VI, Variation in wavelength (λ = 260 nm); Set VII, Variation in wavelength (λ = 270 nm); Set VIII, Column oven temperature (35^°C).

Conclusion

A simple isocratic reverse phase assay method was optimized and validated. The method is selective, precise and accurate and was successfully applied to the analysis of commercially available Memantine hydrochloride drug substances. Memantine is not easily detected by HPLC using UV detection because of absence of a chromophoric group. Derivatization with FMOC is a simple and very effective means of enhancing the chromatographic detection of the compound.

Disclosures

This manuscript has been read and approved by all authors. This paper is unique and is not under consideration by any other publication and has not been published elsewhere. The authors and peer reviewers of this paper report no conflicts of interest. The authors confirm that they have permission to reproduce any copyrighted material.

Footnotes

Acknowledgment

Authors are thankful to Ranbaxy Research Laboratories for providing necessary facilities and for permission to publish this article.

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