Investigating the stability of a cerebral vasodilator drug using chromatographic methods: Evaluation of methods’ practicality and environmental aspects

A vinca alkaloid; vinburnine (VNB) is utilized as an effective vasodilator. As a cyclic amide-containing drug, it is likely susceptible to hydrolytic degradation. This study examined the degradation profile of VNB, findings indicated that VNB undergoes degradation solely in the presence of alkali, generating a carboxylic acid derivative (DEG). The present study aimed to design and apply green TLC-densitometric and RP-HPLC assays for concurrently measuring VNB and its degradation product for the first time. TLC-densitometric assay was carried out on silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ TLC plates and a developing system of ethyl acetate: methanol: triethylamine (6:4:0.05, by volume) and detection at 230 nm. RP-HPLC method depended on a C8 column and a mixture of methanol: water (95:5, v/v). The rate of flow was 1 mL/min and UV detection at 230 nm. The proposed assays were used for prediction of the degradation behavior of VNB under the mentioned conditions and then applied for quantitation of VNB in its commercially available capsules. Four distinct metric approaches; National Environmental Method Index (NEMI), Analytical Eco-Scale, Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) were utilized to assess the chromatographic method’s ecological effect. Findings obtained from the provided methodologies were contrasted statistically with the stated HPLC method using Student’s t and F-tests. The analysis revealed that there were no significant differences between them. The established methods were verified in accordance with the recommendations of the International Council for Harmonization (ICH), and all the outcomes were deemed to fall within the permissible limit.