Using Electrokinetic Chromatography Coupled with Large-Volume Sample Stacking for the Determination of Ticagrelor

A recent study published in the Journal of Separation Science highlights the use of a novel method for the determination of ticagrelor, an antiplateler medication used to help manage and treat several serious cardiovascular health conditions (1). Ticagrelor is often used in blood thinning medications, which are designed to prevent common yet serious heart problems, such as heart attacks and strokes (1).

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The novel method developed by the research team from Mansoura University in Mansoura, Egypt, used micellar electrokinetic chromatography coupled with large-volume sample stacking.

The researchers’ used a fused silica capillary with UV detection at 195 nm, which offered enhanced sensitivity and precision (1).

The background analytes for this study were used under two conditions: acidic and alkaline. Under the acidic condition, the research team used a 30 mM phosphate buffer of pH 3.0 with 120 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate and 10% (v/v) acetonitrile (1). For the second set of conditions, an alkaline medium was used and integrated a 30 mM borate buffer of pH 8.5 with 75 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (1).

At minimum, this method met all of the standards for specificity, linearity (R² > 0.99), repeatability (relative standard deviation 2.56%–3.34%), and accuracy (recovery in the range 101.21%–102.67%), if not exceeding them (1). Furthermore, the limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantitation (LOQ) revealed that the method possessed above-average sensitivity. The LODs and LOQs were recorded at 0.032, 0.071, and 0.087, 0.188 μg/mL (1).

One of the most promising aspects of this method is its applicability. The researchers successfully employed it to determine ticagrelor concentrations in rat plasma and tablets, yielding consistently high recoveries and exceptional reproducibility (1). This versatility positions the method as a valuable tool for both pharmaceutical research and clinical applications, where monitoring ticagrelor levels in patient plasma is crucial.

The development and validation of this micellar electrokinetic chromatography method represents progress in the pharmaceutical analysis. Innovation has resulted in a new and improved method for determining ticagrelor in rat plasma. The next step would be to see if this method could be applied to more pharmaceutical studies, including even testing ticagrelor levels in patients with heart conditions.

Reference

(1) Zayed, S.; Belal, F. Determination of ticagrelol in rat plasma and tablets by micellar electrokinetic chromatography coupled with large volume sample stacking: Application to a pharmacokinetic study. J. Sep. Sci. 2023, ASAP. DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300454