title: A rapid method for obtaining finasteride, a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, from commercial tablets.
abstract: To study the effects of allopregnanolone (AP) depletion on stress-induced dopamine changes in cortical dopamine, the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride on a gram-scale is required. Two procedures for the extraction of finasteride from tablets are outlined (method A and B). In method A, a suspension of powdered tablets was preliminary extracted with chloroform and the extracts dried and evaporated. The resulting residue was then purified on column chromatography. Method B involves a direct chromatographic separation of the powdered tablets. In terms of isolated yields, the second procedure works well, is cheaper, and less time-consuming. The efficiency of the method was tested by measuring progesterone, AP and THDOC content in plasma and cerebral cortex of rats. The protocol enables the prompt availability of sufficient amount of finasteride in experimental grade, useful in examining the role of endogenous cerebrocortical AP in brain homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaco-Chemistry Department, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy. trapani@farmchim.uniba.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trapani
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dazzi
authors.forename: Maria Giuseppina
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pisu
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reho
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seu
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biggio
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002845:Chromatography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018120:Finasteride / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011280:Pregnanolone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; C009413:tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D018120:Finasteride; D011280:Pregnanolone; D004298:Dopamine