HPLC-UV method for assaying 99/357, a synthetic trioxane antimalarial derivative in rat and rabbit serum

In the present study an accurate and precise HPLC-UV assay method in rat and rabbit serum has been developed and validated for determination of 99/357—a new synthetic analogue of artemisinin developed by Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), of the class of trioxane derivative. Separation was achieved using a C-18 reversed phase column with a mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile and deionized water (80:20%, v/v) using a UV detector, set at a wavelength of 266 nm. The method, applicable to 200 μl serum, involved double extraction of the samples with 20% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in n-hexane. The recovery of 99/357 in the two matrices was >90%. The method was sensitive with a limit of quantitation of 25 ng/ml in both rat and rabbit matrices. Precision and accuracy were within the acceptable limits, as indicated by relative standard deviation (accuracy) varying from −12.7 to 5.7% and bias (precision) values ranging from 0.6 to 11.8%. Moreover, 99/357 was stable in serum up to 30 days of storage at −60 °C and after being subjected to three freeze/thaw cycles. The method will be applied to perform pharmacokinetic studies of 99/357.