A novel ultrasensitive derivatization-free synchronous fluorescence approach for the simultaneous analysis of propofol and nalbuphine in human plasma and dosage forms: Compliance with greenness and blueness metrics

Abstract

This study presents a very sensitive and eco-friendly synchronous spectrofluorimetric method for the simultaneous quantification of propofol (PRP) and nalbuphine (NAL) for the first time. The technique used the intrinsic fluorescence characteristics of the two drugs, providing enhanced sensitivity and specificity. The two drugs were assessed simultaneously at 217 nm and 281 nm for PRP and NAL, respectively, with a synchronous wavelength difference (Δλ) of 80 nm. The proposed method was validated according to ICH Q2 (R2) requirements, exhibiting satisfactory accuracy, precision, linearity, and selectivity within the designated concentration ranges. The concentrations exhibited linearity within the ranges of 15.0–300.0 ng/mL and 0.5–16.0 µg/mL, with detection limits of 2.67 ng/mL and 0.15 µg/mL for PRP and NAL, respectively. The developed approach, owing to its great sensitivity, was utilized to assess the examined drugs in human plasma samples. The results demonstrated good bioanalytical applicability, exhibiting high recovery percentages (98.40–101.70) and low relative standard deviation (%RSD) values (<1.66). The proposed method was applied to accurately analyze the cited drugs in their ampoule dosage forms with great selectivity. The MoGAPI and AGREE metrics demonstrated the method’s exceptional eco-friendliness and sustainability. Additionally, the BAGI tool was employed to assess the method’s economic viability, applicability, and practicality. The three tools demonstrated the sustainability and feasibility of the developed approach, as well as its appropriateness for the routine analysis of the examined drugs. The developed method represents the first analytical technique for the concurrent estimation of PRP and NAL without the necessity for toxic reagents, excessive organic solvents, or complicated instruments. The method is derivatization-free and does not require complicated sample treatment or lengthy extraction procedures. The suggested method’s excellent sensitivity, simplicity, speed, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness make it appropriate for therapeutic drug monitoring of the studied drugs.