February 2022 Vol. 3 No. 1

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Original Research Article

Pharmacokinetic and Bioanalytical Consideration of the Salivary Concentration of Artesunate and Dihydroartemisinin in Nigerian Volunteer Subjects: Using Spectrophotometric Methods

Etienne E. Essien¹, Peter Abia^1*, Ekpedeme Ndem²

¹Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Nigeria
²Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author Email: peterabia7@gmail.com
Phone Number: +2347066594948

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: jconwusonye@gmail.com

Accepted February 28, 2022

Abstract

This study evaluates the use of saliva as a biological fluid for UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis of artemisinin derivatives: artesunate and dihydroartemisinin in Nigerian subjects. The absorbance of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin saliva samples was measured using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The samples were analysed with and without coupling to benzene diazonium chloride (chromogenic agent). The saliva samples collected from the subjects at various time intervals after the administration of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin at λmax of 318nm and 312nm, respectively, showed significant accuracy and sensitivity of the method. A standard curve of artesunate gave a straight line with a standard deviation of 0.008178, with LOD and LOQ values of 35.80µg/mL and 108.485µg/mL, respectively. The standard curve of dihydroartemisinin gave a straight line with a standard deviation of 0.0000940, with LOD and LOQ values of 4.094µg/mL and 12.405µg/mL, respectively. Due to its ease of obtainment and greater patient acceptability, saliva sampling analysis using spectrophotometric methods is beneficial in the pharmacokinetic study of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin.

Keywords: Artesunate, Bioanalysis, Dihydroartemisinin, Pharmacokinetics, Saliva, Spectrophotometry