Enantioselective drug analysis: problems and resolutions.
1. With the increasing appreciation that the enantiomers of a chiral drug can differ pharmacokinetically and/or pharmacodynamically, there is considerable interest in methods for the resolution and quantification of enantiomers. 2. Enantiomers possess identical physical and chemical properties in a symmetrical environment and, therefore, their resolution requires the introduction of an asymmetric or chiral environment allowing diastereomeric interactions. This can be achieved using a number of chromatographic techniques, of which the most developed and widely used is high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 3. Resolution and quantification of enantiomers can be performed using HPLC by either converting the enantiomers to covalent diastereomers prior to chromatography or introducing a chiral environment to the chromatographic system, thereby allowing temporary diastereomeric interactions. 4. Antibodies are chiral molecules which can bind the enantiomers of a chiral drug in a differential manner. This is the basis of enantioselective immunoassay, which is a promising technique for the enantioselective analysis of drugs in biological fluids. 5. Each of the methods available has its limitations, advantages and potential applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
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School of Pharmacy, South Australian Institute of Technology, Adelaide.
D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations