Stability-indicating assay using capillary zone electrophoresis for an azaphenothiazine in an ointment formulation

A stability-indicating assay using a capillary zone electrophoresis method is reported for the determination of isothipendyl in an ointment formulation. Sample preparation consisted of a simple dissolution of the ointment in an internal standard (3-aminobenzoic acid hydrochloride) solution. Separation was carried out in a short fused silica capillary using a pH 2.5 phosphate buffer as electrolyte. After introduction of the sample solution into the capillary, the compounds were separated as cations and detected within 3 min. The procedure was validated following the guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonisation. The method was found to be specific in relation to potential degradation products and excipients. Linearity determined between 50 and 150% of the target concentration was satisfactory (r2 = 0.999). Recovery studies from an analytical placebo spiked with the analyte at five concentration levels (50-150% of the target concentration) on each of 3 days ranged from 103.5 to 99.2%. The repeatability of the entire procedure (n = 7) was better than 1.0%. The detection limit was estimated to be approximately 0.5 mg l−1.