Chiral recognition of dapoxetine enantiomers with methylated-gamma-cyclodextrin: A validated capillary electrophoresis method

The enantiomers of dapoxetine, a serotonin transporter inhibitor for the treatment of premature ejaculation have been separated by cyclodextrin modified capillary zone electrophoresis using uncoated fused-silica capillary. Over 20 cyclodextrins were screened as chiral selectors, investigating the stability of the inclusion complexes and enantioseparating properties. According to the preliminary experiments as chiral selector randomly methylated-γ-cyclodextrin was chosen. The basic chemical and instrumental parameters of enantioseparation as concentration of buffer, chiral selector and organic additive, pH, temperature and applied voltage were optimized afterwards using an orthogonal experimental design. Using this methodology not only the optimal parameter values for chiral separation (15 °C, +15 kV, 70 mM acetate, 20 v/v% MeOH, pH* = 4.5, 3 mM methylated-γ-CyD) but also the significance order of factors on resolution was determined. Applying these parameters an optimal resolution of 7.01 was achieved. The optimized method was then validated according to the ICH guideline Q2 (R1) with regard to repeatability, linearity range, LOD, LOQ, accuracy and robustness.

► Racemic dapoxetine was synthesized and characterized.
► Over 20 cyclodextrins were studied as complexation hosts for dapoxetine.
► Enantioseparation was preformed with CE using methylated gamma-cyclodextrin.
► The separation was optimized applying orthogonal experimental design.
► The capillary electrophoretic method was validated according to ICH guidelines.