Venkatachari K. M, Ramasamy V. Box -Behnken Design Approach to Method Development for Irinotecan Hydrochloride Trihydrate by Using RP-HPLC Method. Biomed Pharmacol J 2025;18(1).
Manuscript received on :18-07-2024
Manuscript accepted on :28-11-2024
Published online on: 13-02-2025
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Kumudhavalli Manni Venkatachari 1*and Venkatraj Ramasamy2

1Department of Pharmacognosy, Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy, Vinayak Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Yercaud Main Road, Salem, Tamilnadu, India.

2Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy, Vinayak Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Yercaud Main Road, Salem, 636008, Tamilnadu, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail:kumudhu27@gmail.com

Abstract

In this work, QbD tools have been applied for the validation and optimization of parameters for irinotecan hydrochloride using Box-Behnken design with the objective of acquiring a short retention time. The RP-HPLC method was developed using a C18 column by using a mobile phase composition of Acetonitrile and potassium dihydrogen phosphate whose pH was adjusted to 3.2 using orthophosphoric acid in the ratio of 60:40v/v. These included system suitability parameters like ambient temperature, flow rate 1.0 ± 0.2 ml/min, and an overall run time of 7 minutes. Analysis was carried out at 222 nm using PDA detector.The developed methodology was then validated according to ICH guidelines under various conditions. The retention time for Irinotecan HCl was found 2.16 min. Linearity was ranged from 40-120 µg/ml, the correlation coefficient less than 1. Stability time for both analyte and standard solution were found to be 5 days. Using this method, the minimum detectable limits LOD and LOQ could be estimated at 0.8 ng/ml and 2.0 ng/ml, respectively.

Keywords

Box-Behnken design; Irinotecan; Isocratic; Method validation; QbD; RP-HPLC

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Venkatachari K. M, Ramasamy V. Box -Behnken Design Approach to Method Development for Irinotecan Hydrochloride Trihydrate by Using RP-HPLC Method. Biomed Pharmacol J 2025;18(1).

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Venkatachari K. M, Ramasamy V. Box -Behnken Design Approach to Method Development for Irinotecan Hydrochloride Trihydrate by Using RP-HPLC Method. Biomed Pharmacol J 2025;18(1). Available from: https://bit.ly/3WZKdEV

Introduction

Analytical Quality by Design (A QbD) is a systematic and risk-based approach to developing analytical methods in the field of pharmaceuticals and other regulated industries. It draws inspiration from the principles of Quality by Design (QbD) and applies them specifically to analytical methods1–3. ICH Q8(R2) Pharmaceutical Development and provides further clarification of key concepts outlined in the core guideline4. Moreover, Applying of QbD is important in developing a new method it fit for the purpose assure the quality. The result it could be organized by CQA, risk assessment and outlining of design space it set for the future investigations. 5,6.

Irinotecan is primarily used in the treatment of Metastatic colorectal cancer. This is semi synthetic derivative of Camptotheca accuminata which contains Comptothecin alkaloid belongs to Nyssaceae family7,8. There are the several methods are available in the irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate injections using QbD. But in this study describes about the implementation of QbD impact the outcome of analytical process development and validation. Understanding about critical quality attributes & critical method, material attributes. In this present work, a novel RP-HPLC method was developed & validated.

Materials and Methods

Materials

Irinotecan reference standard (99.5%) was purchased in the Reputed pharmaceutical company. The sample injection of Irinotecan was purchased in the market. Acetonitrile analytical grade was purchased in Spectro hem Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai KH2PO4 Buffer Purchased in Merck Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai.

Instruments

A Shimadzu HPLC system equipped with dual pump. UV-Vis detector was used in this present work. The PDA detector used for determination of proper wavelength of irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate 222 nm was found wave length.

Experimental Procedure

 standard stock solution preparation

 acquired quantity (5 mg) of Irinotecan API was transferred in to a 25 ml calibrated volumetric flask.   To this 15 ml of mobile phase (ACN: KH2PO4) was added and sonication was done. Finally, it was filled up to the mark with mobile phase. It was used for further analysis.

Preparation of analyte

Pipette out 0.25 ml of irinotecan injection which is equivalent to 5 mg of drug is transfer in to 25 mal of volumetric flask and made up with mobile phase. From this various concentration there prepared for calibration and validation parameter.

Method optimization

The mobile phase was optimized according to the ICH-guidelines Q2(R2) using a 3-factor, 3-level Box-Behnken design analyzed with ANOVA software. For this study, we set acetonitrile as factor X, buffer concentration as Y, and buffer pH as Z. Capacity factor (K1) was set as an independent variable, resolution (RS12), and elution time-tR1-was considered as the response. The surface analysis was targeted at the location of the various independent variables’ effects based on observations. Table 1 shows the Box-Behnken-generated experimental design of 20 runs that have been subjected to show the observed and expected responses.

The results were evaluated using the ANOVA method, besides the desirability function to select optimum conditions after the procedure of optimization was over. The advantage of using a Box-Behnken design lies in the fact that it optimizes experimental designs that contain at least three dependent variables or factors, and several responses can be compared against CCD and full factorial design. This experimental design contains three factors-straight line, quadratic, and interaction terms-which can be expressed by the model Y0.

= β0 + β1 X1 + β2 X2 + β3 X3 + β12 X1 X2 + β13 X1 X3 + β23 X2 X3 + β11 X 2 + β22 X 2 + β33 X 2

Y0 = response to be modeled, β0 = constant, β2, β3, β4 = linear coefficients,

β13, β14, β24 = interaction coefficients, β11, β22, β33 = quadratic coefficients.

The statistical parameter given in table 2.

Method validation

 Method was validated as per the ICH Q2(R2) guidelines. 

System Condition

  The system condition was obtained by the mirroring the analysis of six sample standard injections at 80 µg/ml and finally get optimize chromatogram.  From chromatogram calculate the system condition parameters such as tailing factor, theoretical plate count and reproducibility (% RSD of analyte retention time and area of the six replicates).

Specificity

  The ability of a developed analytical method accurately measures the samples in the presence of the other residues or compounds. the major peak was used studied for the peak purity and developed method it should effectively separates the analytes and denatured products.

Linearity

   The linearity verifies by minimum 5 different concentration standard solution was prepared at the different concentration range from 50 to150% to showing that assay concentrations. Weighed accuratlyb5 mg of standard dissolve into 10ml of mobile phase into 25 ml of volumetric flask. Sonicate, make up to the marked volume.

Precision

  Take accurately weighed 5mg of standard irinotecan dissolved in 15ml of mobile phase in to 25ml of volumetric flask and sonicate and make up the volume up to the mark. Accurately take two ml of above solution was transferred to 5ml of volumetric flask and the volume was make up with mobile phase. 6 such preparations were made.

Accuracy

 The accuracy was performed by percentage of recovery conducted at the different concentration range 80,100 and 120%. Two ml of standard solution into 5ml of volumetric flask make up to volume with mobile phase solution. 1.6 ml and 2ml of test solution pipette out transfer into two different 5ml volumetric flask make up to the volume to the mark with mobile phase.  

LOD and LOQ

  Serial dilutions of Irinotecan were prepared from standard test solution in the range of 1%, 2 % and 3% to target assay concentration (80ppm). The samples were analyzed by HPLC replicated for 5 times. Standard deviation was calculated in each 5 injections concentration.

LOD = (3.3 X S.D/slope)

LOQ = (10 X S.D/slope)

Ruggedness

Ruggedness of this method was confirming by the performing the following variations.

Analyst person to analyst person variation, 2. Different Column variation, 3. Day to days variation. This mentioned parameter was studied to estimate the percentage assay on few different days using different analytical columns. Sample analysis was carried out by two different analysts, varying one parameter each time. Analysis was carried out in duplicate.

Robustness

  Robustness test was performed deliberately changes in mobile phase to the developed HPLC conditions viz., Flow rate change into (± 0.2 ml/min), Composition change into (± 5 ml):  and buffer pH adjusted in to (± 0.2) as per method validation protocol. 

Results and Disscussion

Table 1: Box – Behnken design arrangement and responses

Run

Type

ACN

concentration X (%vol/vol)

Buffer

Concentration Y(Milli Mole)

Buffer Strength (pH) Z 

Capacity factor (K1)

Resolution (Rs1,2)

Retention

time (tR1)

3

Axial

55.00

45.00

3.16

0.78

6.90

5.25

7

Axial

65.00

35.00

3.84

0.78

10.46

5.10

14

Axial

55.59

45.00

3.00

0.96

4.68

4.55

18

Axial

55.00

48.36

3.00

0.86

11.46

3.36

19

Axial

57.00

41.64

4.00

0.85

14.60

2.45

17

Axial

57.41

43.00

3.00

0.94

4.92

6.50

2

Center

60.00

40.00

3.20

1.0

11.68

2.16

1

Fact

60.00

45.00

3.50

0.91

11.68

8.63

4

Fact

55.00

53.00

2.50

0.92

8.86

9.53

5

Fact

58.00

42.00

2.50

0.96

8.98

6.56

9

Fact

58.00

42.00

2.50

0.82

10.88

6.56

12

Fact

58.00

42.00

3.50

0.80

6.94

6.30

13

Fact

58.00

43.00

3.50

0.80

6.98

6.25

15

Fact

58.00

43.00

3.50

0.88

8.12

6.25

17

Fact

60.00

42.00

3.50

0.76

10.86

6.56

Table 2: Surface response models and parameters

 

 

Regression model

Adjusted

R2

Model P value

% C.V

Adequate Precision

K1

 

Rs1,2

 

T R1

+1.07-2.68E-005A-0.013B-0.022 C+0.042AB- 0.037A2-0.071B2-0.098C2

+12.14-0.79A+0.41C-2.39A2-1.01 C2

+4.41+1.48A-0.17B+0.28AB+0.76 A2+0.17B2

3.07     AB2

0.9110

0.7209

 

0.8455

<0.0001

<0.0001

 

<0.0001

3.61

5.19

 

8.52

14.975

11.601

 

15.082

 

Figure 1: Trail Chromatogram

 

 

 

 

Click here to view Figure

 

Figure 2: Blank Chromatogram.

 

 

 

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 Figure 3: Standard Chromatogram

 

 

 

 

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Figure 4: Optimized Chromatogram

 

 

 

 

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Figure 5: Irinotecan loaded PEGylated liposomes using novel method supercritical fluid and condition optimized by Box–Behnken design 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to view Figure

Estimated response surfaces were generated under the following fixed conditions: pressure drop (a, d, g) at 22.5 MPa, flow rate (b, f, h) at 1.2 mL/min, and temperature (c, e, i) at 22.5 °C, for the mean size, count, and EE, respectively. 

Method Validation

System Suitability

Table 3: System condition parameters

Injection

Retention time (min)

Area of analyte

Plate count

Tailing factor

1

2.158

8370847

2295

1.22

2

2.142

8372813

2289

1.21

3

2.167

8376715

2320

1.22

4

2.156

8371638

2290

1.23

5

2.154

8371824

2323

1.21

6

2.159

8372438

2315

1.24

Mean

2.156

8372713

2305.33

1.22

S D

0.0081

2075.068

15.68

0.01169

% RSD

0.375

0.024

0.680

0.958

Specificity

Table 4: Result of Specificity

 

 

Temp/
intensity

Time

Analyte Rt (min)

Impurities Rt (min)

Physical degradation

Heat stress

105º C

6 hrs

2.15

4.5

 

 

 

Chemical degradation

Base degradation (1 N NaOH)

60 º C

60 min

2.15

1.9, 2.7

Acid degradation (1 N HCl)

60 º C

60 min

2.15

4.6

Oxidation degradation
(3% w/v H2O2)

60 º C

60 min

2.15

Linearity

Table 5:  Result of Linearity

Injection

Con. (%)

Con. of sample (µg/ml)

Response

% Purity

1

25

20

220675

98.8

2

50

40

439351

98.8

3

75

60

635989

98.89

4

100

80

837084

99.6

5

125

100

1025839

99.8

6

150

120

1228245

99.8

Correlation coefficient not more than 1.          
Slope: 1.016E ± 05.

 

Figure 6: Linearity Curve.

 

 

 

 

Click here to view Figure

Precision

Table 6: Result of Precision

Injection

Peak area

% Assay

1

8345201

99.69

2

8342215

99.65

3

8343136

99.66

4

8343217

99.66

5

8343328

99.67

6

8344307

99.68

Mean

8343567

 

99.66

Standard deviation

1040.27

0.01472

%RSD

0.012

0.014

Accuracy

Table 7: Accuracy results

Compound

Concentration

(%)

Amount added

(mg)

Amount found

(mg)

Mean

Recovery (%)

SD

RSD

(%)

Irinotecan

80

100

120

0.064

0.080

0.096

0.06374

0.07864

0.09542

 

99.1

 

0.458

 

0.462

Result of Limit of Detection and Limit of Quantification

LOD and LOQ were calculated by the method which was based on the standard deviation of the response and slope of calibration curve at the level approximately Limit of Detection and Limit of Quantification was found to be 0.8ppm and 2ppm respectively. 

Robustness

Table 8: Results of robustness study

Parameter

% RSD of % purity

Tailing factor

Plate count

% Purity

Flow rate ± 0.2

        (ml)

1.2

0.92

1.3

2345

99.2

0.8

1.10

1.4

2549

99.5

Temperature± 5 ºC

20

0.64

1.2

2285

99.1

30

0.70

1.3

2299

99.3

Mobile phase   composition ± 5 ml

45:55

1.10

1.3

2472

98.6

35:65

1.30

1.2

2283

98.7

pH of buffer ± 0.2

3.4

0.83

1.4

2457

99.5

3.0

1.01

1.2

2269

99.8

The developed method was then validated according to ICH guidelines and is suitable for estimating the bulk drug in marketed products. This method was applied to the injection Irnocam from the local market to determine the amount of irinotecan in bulk drug formulations. The marketed formulation was analyzed in triplicate, and it was found that the irinotecan content in Irnocam is 19.76 mg/ml, whereas the claimed value was 20 mg/ml. The sample purity in percentage was estimated as 98.2%. Since the result for % RSD was 0.132%, the developed RP-HPLC method is accurate and precise for the quantitative determination of irinotecan in bulk dosage forms.

Conclusion

In the present study, the Box-Behnken design was used to develop a new technique for the estimation of irinotecan from marketed formulations using RP-HPLC. This technique utilized surface methodology to determine the impact of independent variables, namely % mobile phase ratio, flow rate, and triplet levels on chromatographic responses. The chromatographic resolution, tailing factor, and theoretical plate values were the responses measured. The developed technique was then validated according to ICH guidelines Q1(R2) and showed precision, accuracy, and speed. It is specifically designed for the quantitative determination of irinotecan in pharmaceutical formulations and hence suitable for routine analysis at laboratories.

Acknowledgement 

We would like to thank our Respected Principal prof. Dr. M. Kumar, VMCP & VMRF (DU) for this overall support to carry out this research in the campus. 

Conflict of Interest

The author(s) do not have any conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

This statement does not apply to this article.

Ethics Statement

This research did not involve human participants, animal subjects, or any material that requires ethical approval.

Informed Consent Statement

This study did not involve human participants, and therefore, informed consent was not required.

Clinical Trial Registration

This research does not involve any clinical trials 

Author Contributions 

  • Kumudhavalli Manni Venkatachari: designed the study, performed the statistical analysis, wrote the protocol,
  • Venkatraj Ramasamy : Data Collection, Analysis, Writing – Review & Editing, Visualization, Supervision, Project Administration. 

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  3. Kumar, P. Critical Quality Attributes in Analytical Methods: A Review of Recent Advances. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2019; 108(7), 2241-2250.
  4. Mahesh, R. Integration of Quality by Design in Method Development: A Systematic Review. Journal of Chromatography B. 2023; 1210, 123321.
  5. Gupta, R. “Development and Validation of RP-HPLC Method for Irinotecan Analysis: Implementation of QbD Principles. Analytical Methods. 2022; 14(15), 1873-1885.
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