Thin Layer Chromatographic Method for Rapid Identification and Quantification of Corticosteroid Sodium Phosphates in Pharmaceutical Preparations

A rapid and inexpensive thin layer chromatography (TLC) procedure for the assay of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) and betamethasone sodium phosphate (BSP) persent in pharmaceutical preparations is described. Free steroids liberated after alkaline phosphatase reaction is isolated by TLC on silica gel layer and estimated after elution with ethanol. Assay of unesterified steroids and identification of the preservatives like methyl or propyl parabenzoates, phenol, benzyl alcohol etc. may also be carried out by this method without any additional cost. Possibility of using this method for other corticosteroid sodium phosphates (CSP) are discussed.