Core–shell particles and monolithic columns; tools for simultaneous LC analysis of avanafil, sildenafil, apomorphine, trazodone, yohimbine, tramadol and dapoxetine in pharmaceutical dosage forms, counterfeit products and human plasma

Abstract

By 2025, it's estimated that 322 million males worldwide will suffer from sexual disorders. This can give an estimation for the size of the pharmaceutical and counterfeit products industry for the next few years. Meanwhile, green analytical chemistry forced itself to decrease the massive environmental pollution and hence new analytical methodologies are needed to replace the old ones that consume large amounts of hazardous solvents. In this research, two new methods were validated for determination of seven recognized drugs used in treatment of male impotence, premature ejaculation as well as enhancing sexual libido by HPLC on RP-C18 core–shell particulate and monolithic columns. The study was extended to compare the capabilities of those stationary phases to accommodate greener chromatography concepts without loss of efficiency. Both morphologies shortened the analysis time relative to the previously reported conventional HPLC methods by different approaches. Core–shell particles had higher efficiency in terms of theoretical plates' number and enhanced resolution power which enabled lower detection limits. However, the monolithic column had lower column backpressure which enabled the use of ethanol as a greener alternative solvent at even higher flow rates. The methods were finally applied successfully for the determination of drugs under study in pharmaceutical dosage forms, counterfeit products and in human plasma.