# Simultaneous Estimation of Pantoprazole Sodium and Levosulpiride in Capsule Dosage Form by Simultaneous Equation Spectrophotometric Method

Authors: Dimal A. Shah; Akash Patel; Sunil L. Baldania; Usmangani K. Chhalotiya; Kashyap K. Bhatt
Journal: ISRN Spectroscopy
 (2013)

---

## Abstract

A simple, accurate, and precise spectrophotometric method was developed for simultaneous estimation of pantoprazole sodium and levosulpiride in capsule dosage form. Simultaneous equation was developed at 290 and 232 nm. The method was found to be linear in the range of 4–12μg/mL for pantoprazole sodium and 8–20 μg/mL for levosulpiride while accuracy of the method was confirmed by recovery studies of capsule dosage form and was found to be 100.23–100.99% and 100.51–100.94% for pantoprazole sodium and levosulpiride, respectively, in their capsule dosage form. The proposed method was validated and found to be accurate and precise. The method was successfully applied for the estimation of pantoprazole sodium and levosulpiride from their capsule dosage form.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

Pantoprazole sodium (PNT) is a sodium 5-(difluoromethoxy)-2-[[(3,4-dimethoxy]-2-pyridinyl) methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole [1] (Figure 1); it is a proton pump inhibitor drug used for short-term treatment of erosion and ulceration of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease [2]. It has molecular formula C16H14F2N3NaO4S with molar mass 405.36 g/mol [1]. Levosulpiride (LVS) is an N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]-2-methoxy-5-sulfamoylbenzamide (Figure 2); it is a new orally effective antipsychotic and a prokinetic agent reported to be a selective antagonist of dopamine D2 receptor activity on both central and peripheral levels. It is an atypical neuroleptic (S)-enantiomer of sulpiride having molecular formula C15H23N3O4S with molar mass 341.43 g/mol. Levosulpiride is also claimed to have mood elevating property and used in the treatment of psychoses [3], particularly negative symptoms of schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, dysthymia, vertigo, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and premature ejaculation [4].Figure 1
Structure of pantoprazole sodium.Figure 2
Structure of levosulpiride.The literature review revealed that LC methods [5, 6] have been reported for the estimation of PNT. Various RP-LC methods have been reported for the estimation of PNT in combination with domperidone [7] and naproxen [8, 9], respectively. Derivative spectrophotometric method has been reported for the estimation of LVS in tablet dosage form [10]. Simultaneous estimation of LVS and esomeprazole by UV spectrometry has been reported [11]. LC method has been reported for estimation of LVS from human plasma [12]. LC method have been reported for the estimation of LVS in combination with esomeprazole [13] and rabeprazole [14, 15], respectively. RP-LC method has been reported for the estimation of PNT and LVS in the combined dosage form [16].A comprehensive literature research revealed that no spectrophotometric method is reported for the estimation of PNT and LVS in pharmaceutical formulations. So, the purpose of the present study was to develop and validate spectrophotometric analytical method for the estimation of both drugs in combination.


## 2.  Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Apparatus

All the absorption spectra were recorded on UV-visible double beam spectrophotometer (UV-1700, Shimadzu Corp., Japan) with 1 cm quartz cell. The drugs and chemicals were weighed on Shimadzu electronic balance (AX 200, Shimadzu Corp., Japan).


### 2.2. Reagents and Materials

Analytically pure PNT and LVS were obtained as gift samples from Balaji Chemicals, Mumbai, India, and Corona Remedies Pvt. Ltd., India, respectively. The purity of PNT and LVS were found to be 99.52%, and 99.15%, respectively, according to the manufacturer’s analysis certificates. Capsule formulation (Pantocid-L capsule, Sun Pharma. Ltd., India) containing labeled amount of 40 mg of PNT and 75 mg of LVS was used for the study. Methanol (E. Merck, Mumbai, India) used as a solvent was of analytical grade.


### 2.3. Preparation of Standard Stock Solutions

Stock solutions were prepared by accurately weighing 25 mg each of PNT and LVS and transferring to two separate 25 mL volumetric flasks containing a few mL of methanol. The flasks were swirled to dissolve solids. Volumes were made up to the mark with methanol, which gave 1000 µg/mL of both the drugs. Aliquots from the stock solutions were appropriately diluted with methanol to obtain working standard solutions of 100 µg/mL of each drug.


### 2.4. Selection of Analytical Wavelength

For the development of simultaneous equation method, the wavelength maxima of both the drugs are required. The overlain spectra of PNT and LVS (10 µg/mL) showed that 290 nm is the wavelength maxima of PNT and that 232 nm is the wavelength maxima of LVS. So, 290 nm and 232 nm were selected for the formation of simultaneous equation (Figure3).Figure 3
Overlain UV spectra of PNT and LVS.


### 2.5. Calibration Curves for PNT and LVS

Appropriate aliquots of PNT and LVS working standard solutions were taken in different 10 mL volumetric flasks and diluted up to the mark with methanol to obtain final concentrations of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 15 µg/mL of PNT and 8, 10, 12, 15, and 20 µg/mL of LVS, respectively. Spectra of the solutions were scanned between 400 and 200 nm. The absorbance of solutions was measured at 290.0 nm and 232 nm against methanol as blank, and the absorbance versus concentration was plotted. The straight line equations for both drugs at two wavelengths were determined, and the values ofA1%1cm were obtained.


### 2.6. Validation

The method was validated for accuracy, precision, specificity and robustness by following procedure.


#### 2.6.1. Precision

The intraday and interday precision study of the proposed method were carried by measuring absorbance three times on the same day and on three different days for three different concentrations of PNT (4, 8, and 12 µg/mL) and LVS (8, 15, and 20 µg/mL), and the results reported in terms of RSD. The instrument precision was evaluated by estimating responses of three different concentrations of PNT (4, 8, and 12 µg/mL) and LVS (8, 15, and 20 µg/mL) six times and results reported in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD).


#### 2.6.2. Accuracy

The accuracy of the method was determined by calculating recoveries of PNT and LVS by method of standard additions. Known amounts of PNT (0, 2, 4, and 6 µg/mL) and LVS (0, 4, 8, and 12 µg/mL) were added to a prequantified sample solutions, and the amount of PNT and LVS were estimated by proposed method.


#### 2.6.3. Specificity

For specificity study commonly used excipients present in selected capsule formulation were spiked into a preweighed quantity of drugs. The absorbance was measured, and the quantities of drugs were determined. The excipients used were talc, microcrystalline cellulose, starch (S. D. Fine chemicals, India), and carboxymethyl cellulose (Allied Chemical Corporation, India).


#### 2.6.4. Robustness

Robustness of the method was studied by observing the stability of both drug solutions at 25 ± 2°C for 24 h.


#### 2.6.5. Laboratory Prepared Mixtures

Validity of formed equation has been checked by preparation of four mixed standards. Appropriate aliquots of PNT working standard solutions were taken in different 10 mL volumetric flasks. Appropriate aliquots of LVS working standard solutions were added to the same flask, and the volume was diluted to the mark with methanol to achieve final concentration of 4, 6, 8, and 10 µg/mL of PNT and 8, 12, 16, and 20 µg/mL of LVS. Spectra of solutions were scanned, and absorbance was measured at 290.0 and 232.0 nm. Absorbance at these two wavelengths was substituted in the simultaneous equation to calculate the amount of the drug present.


### 2.7. Analysis of Marketed Formulations

Twenty tablets were weighed and finely powdered. Powder equivalent to 10 mg of PNT (and 18.75 mg LVS) was accurately weighed and transferred to a 50 mL volumetric flask. A few mL (20 mL) of methanol was added to the above flask, and flask was sonicated for 5 minutes. The solution was filtered in to another 50 mL volumetric flask using Whatman filter paper (number 1), and volume was made up to the mark with the same solvent.Appropriate volume of the aliquot was transferred to 25 mL volumetric flask, and the volume was made up to the mark with methanol to obtain 18.75 µg/mL of LVS (and 10 µg/mL of PNT). Spectra of solutions were scanned between 400 and 200 nm, and the absorbance of the solution was measured at 290.0 nm and 232.0 nm. Absorbance at these two wavelengths was substituted in the simultaneous equation to calculate the amount of the drug present.


## 2.1. Apparatus

All the absorption spectra were recorded on UV-visible double beam spectrophotometer (UV-1700, Shimadzu Corp., Japan) with 1 cm quartz cell. The drugs and chemicals were weighed on Shimadzu electronic balance (AX 200, Shimadzu Corp., Japan).


## 2.2. Reagents and Materials

Analytically pure PNT and LVS were obtained as gift samples from Balaji Chemicals, Mumbai, India, and Corona Remedies Pvt. Ltd., India, respectively. The purity of PNT and LVS were found to be 99.52%, and 99.15%, respectively, according to the manufacturer’s analysis certificates. Capsule formulation (Pantocid-L capsule, Sun Pharma. Ltd., India) containing labeled amount of 40 mg of PNT and 75 mg of LVS was used for the study. Methanol (E. Merck, Mumbai, India) used as a solvent was of analytical grade.


## 2.3. Preparation of Standard Stock Solutions

Stock solutions were prepared by accurately weighing 25 mg each of PNT and LVS and transferring to two separate 25 mL volumetric flasks containing a few mL of methanol. The flasks were swirled to dissolve solids. Volumes were made up to the mark with methanol, which gave 1000 µg/mL of both the drugs. Aliquots from the stock solutions were appropriately diluted with methanol to obtain working standard solutions of 100 µg/mL of each drug.


## 2.4. Selection of Analytical Wavelength

For the development of simultaneous equation method, the wavelength maxima of both the drugs are required. The overlain spectra of PNT and LVS (10 µg/mL) showed that 290 nm is the wavelength maxima of PNT and that 232 nm is the wavelength maxima of LVS. So, 290 nm and 232 nm were selected for the formation of simultaneous equation (Figure3).Figure 3
Overlain UV spectra of PNT and LVS.


## 2.5. Calibration Curves for PNT and LVS

Appropriate aliquots of PNT and LVS working standard solutions were taken in different 10 mL volumetric flasks and diluted up to the mark with methanol to obtain final concentrations of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 15 µg/mL of PNT and 8, 10, 12, 15, and 20 µg/mL of LVS, respectively. Spectra of the solutions were scanned between 400 and 200 nm. The absorbance of solutions was measured at 290.0 nm and 232 nm against methanol as blank, and the absorbance versus concentration was plotted. The straight line equations for both drugs at two wavelengths were determined, and the values ofA1%1cm were obtained.


## 2.6. Validation

The method was validated for accuracy, precision, specificity and robustness by following procedure.


### 2.6.1. Precision

The intraday and interday precision study of the proposed method were carried by measuring absorbance three times on the same day and on three different days for three different concentrations of PNT (4, 8, and 12 µg/mL) and LVS (8, 15, and 20 µg/mL), and the results reported in terms of RSD. The instrument precision was evaluated by estimating responses of three different concentrations of PNT (4, 8, and 12 µg/mL) and LVS (8, 15, and 20 µg/mL) six times and results reported in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD).


### 2.6.2. Accuracy

The accuracy of the method was determined by calculating recoveries of PNT and LVS by method of standard additions. Known amounts of PNT (0, 2, 4, and 6 µg/mL) and LVS (0, 4, 8, and 12 µg/mL) were added to a prequantified sample solutions, and the amount of PNT and LVS were estimated by proposed method.


### 2.6.3. Specificity

For specificity study commonly used excipients present in selected capsule formulation were spiked into a preweighed quantity of drugs. The absorbance was measured, and the quantities of drugs were determined. The excipients used were talc, microcrystalline cellulose, starch (S. D. Fine chemicals, India), and carboxymethyl cellulose (Allied Chemical Corporation, India).


### 2.6.4. Robustness

Robustness of the method was studied by observing the stability of both drug solutions at 25 ± 2°C for 24 h.


### 2.6.5. Laboratory Prepared Mixtures

Validity of formed equation has been checked by preparation of four mixed standards. Appropriate aliquots of PNT working standard solutions were taken in different 10 mL volumetric flasks. Appropriate aliquots of LVS working standard solutions were added to the same flask, and the volume was diluted to the mark with methanol to achieve final concentration of 4, 6, 8, and 10 µg/mL of PNT and 8, 12, 16, and 20 µg/mL of LVS. Spectra of solutions were scanned, and absorbance was measured at 290.0 and 232.0 nm. Absorbance at these two wavelengths was substituted in the simultaneous equation to calculate the amount of the drug present.


## 2.6.1. Precision

The intraday and interday precision study of the proposed method were carried by measuring absorbance three times on the same day and on three different days for three different concentrations of PNT (4, 8, and 12 µg/mL) and LVS (8, 15, and 20 µg/mL), and the results reported in terms of RSD. The instrument precision was evaluated by estimating responses of three different concentrations of PNT (4, 8, and 12 µg/mL) and LVS (8, 15, and 20 µg/mL) six times and results reported in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD).


## 2.6.2. Accuracy

The accuracy of the method was determined by calculating recoveries of PNT and LVS by method of standard additions. Known amounts of PNT (0, 2, 4, and 6 µg/mL) and LVS (0, 4, 8, and 12 µg/mL) were added to a prequantified sample solutions, and the amount of PNT and LVS were estimated by proposed method.


## 2.6.3. Specificity

For specificity study commonly used excipients present in selected capsule formulation were spiked into a preweighed quantity of drugs. The absorbance was measured, and the quantities of drugs were determined. The excipients used were talc, microcrystalline cellulose, starch (S. D. Fine chemicals, India), and carboxymethyl cellulose (Allied Chemical Corporation, India).


## 2.6.4. Robustness

Robustness of the method was studied by observing the stability of both drug solutions at 25 ± 2°C for 24 h.


## 2.6.5. Laboratory Prepared Mixtures

Validity of formed equation has been checked by preparation of four mixed standards. Appropriate aliquots of PNT working standard solutions were taken in different 10 mL volumetric flasks. Appropriate aliquots of LVS working standard solutions were added to the same flask, and the volume was diluted to the mark with methanol to achieve final concentration of 4, 6, 8, and 10 µg/mL of PNT and 8, 12, 16, and 20 µg/mL of LVS. Spectra of solutions were scanned, and absorbance was measured at 290.0 and 232.0 nm. Absorbance at these two wavelengths was substituted in the simultaneous equation to calculate the amount of the drug present.


## 2.7. Analysis of Marketed Formulations

Twenty tablets were weighed and finely powdered. Powder equivalent to 10 mg of PNT (and 18.75 mg LVS) was accurately weighed and transferred to a 50 mL volumetric flask. A few mL (20 mL) of methanol was added to the above flask, and flask was sonicated for 5 minutes. The solution was filtered in to another 50 mL volumetric flask using Whatman filter paper (number 1), and volume was made up to the mark with the same solvent.Appropriate volume of the aliquot was transferred to 25 mL volumetric flask, and the volume was made up to the mark with methanol to obtain 18.75 µg/mL of LVS (and 10 µg/mL of PNT). Spectra of solutions were scanned between 400 and 200 nm, and the absorbance of the solution was measured at 290.0 nm and 232.0 nm. Absorbance at these two wavelengths was substituted in the simultaneous equation to calculate the amount of the drug present.


## 3. Results and Discussion

For the development of simultaneous equation method the wavelength maxima of both drugs are required. The overlain spectra of PNT and LVS (10 µg/mL) showed that 290 nm is the wavelength maxima of PNT and that 232 nm is the wavelength maxima of LVS. So, 290 nm and 232 nm were selected for the formation of simultaneous equation (Figure3).The calibration curves for PNT and LVS were prepared at 290 nm and 232 nm individually, and absorptivity values were determined. Calibration curves were found to be linear in the range of 4–12 µg/mL for PNT and 8–20 µg/mL for LVS.The following formulae were established for the estimation of drugs in combined dosage form using simultaneous equation method:(1)CPNT=[(A2×50)-(A1×340)][141000],CLVS=[(A1×400)-(A2×450)][141000].Precision studies were carried out to study the intraday and interday variations of the responses. Instrumental precision study was carried out by repeatability study. The low RSD value indicates that the method is precise (Table1). Accuracy was determined by calculating the recoveries. The recoveries for PNT and LVS were found to be in the range of 100.24–100.99% and 100.52–100.95%, respectively. Excipients used in the specificity studies did not interfere with the response of either of the drugs at their respective analytical wavelengths. In robustness study, no significant change in the response of both drugs was observed after 24 h, and the percentage recovery for PNT and LVS was found to be 98.45–100.48 and 99.12–100.65%, respectively. Hence the method is specific and robust for estimation of PNT and LVS. The validation parameters are summarized in Table 1.Table 1
Summary of the validation parameters.
Parameters
PNT
LVS
Detection limit (μg/mL)
0.4785
0.5301
Quantitation limit (μg/mL)
1.4500
1.6063
Accuracy (%)
100.24–100.99
100.52–100.95
Precision (%RSD)
Intraday precision(n=3)
0.59–1.28
0.65–1.37
Interday precision(n=3)
1.15–1.95
1.05–2.23
Repeatability (%RSD)
0.38–0.69
0.37–1.21
Robustness
98.45–100.48%
99.12–100.65%Validity of the equations was checked by preparation of mixed standards (Table2). The proposed method was applied to the determination of PNT and LVS in their combined capsule dosage forms. The results obtained were comparable with the corresponding labeled amounts (Table 3).Table 2
Validation study using mixed standard.
Amount of standard drug taken (μg/mL)
% recovery ± SD (n=3)
PNT
LVS
PNT
LVS
4
8
100.78 ± 1.76
99.79 ± 2.81
6
12
99.58 ± 1.91
99.39 ± 2.16
8
16
100.80 ± 0.81
100.04 ± 0.66
10
20
100.96 ± 1.51
99.62 ± 0.46Table 3
Analysis of marketed formulations.
Formulation
Labeled amount (mg)
Amount found (mg)
% of drug found ± SD*
PNT
LVS
PNT
LVS
PNT
LVS
Tablet 1
40
75
39.96
75.39
99.90 ± 1.58
100.52 ± 2.01
*Mean value ± standard deviation of three determinations; tablet: PANTOCID-L, Sun Pharma, Sikkim, India.


## 4. Conclusion

Simultaneous equation method has been developed for the estimation of PNT and LVS in their combined dosage form. The method was validated and found to be simple, sensitive, accurate, and precise. Simultaneous equation method is having advantage that it is simple, it requires less analysis time, and the cost of the analysis is less compared to chromatographic method. The method was successfully applied in the estimation of PNT and LVS in their combined dosage form.



---

*Source: 459820-2013-05-09.xml*