A rapid RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous estimation of Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor and in silico study of their metabolitic products

Abstract

Background

This study was designed to develop a reliable method for estimation of Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor in pure and its pharmaceutical dosage form by RP-HPLC in human plasma. Molecular docking studies were carried out and the results were visualized using PyMol and Discovery studio visualizer (Discovery studio visualizer ver. 2.5). The pharmacokinetic properties such as Swiss ADME and pKCSM of the Ivacaftor and its metabolites Ivacaftor M1, M6 and Tezacaftor and metabolites Tezacaftor M1, M2 were predicted. In admetSAR, web-based query tools incorporating a molecular built-in interface enable the database to be queried by SMILES.

Results

A simple, linear, precise, and accurate RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of Ivacaftor (IVA) and Tezacaftor (TEZ) in human plasma. Chromatographic separation was achieved isocratically on Inspire C18, (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm) column at 30 ^°C. Mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.05% formic acid in ratio of 95:5 with flow rate of 1 mL/min with injection volume 20 μl detector used is PDA at 235 nm. The developed method was validated according to ICH guidelines and found to be linearity range was found to be for TEZ (10–50 μg/mL) and IVA (15–75 μg/mL). IVA and TEZ drugs and its metabolites were retrieved from the PubChem database and the 2D chemical structures were generated from SMILES notation by using the Chemsketch Software. The structure was viewed using Swiss-PDB Viewer to form a better understanding of the molecule for toxicity and biological activity prediction.

Conclusion

The results obtained by the proposed method from validation parameters and from assay confirmed that the determination of Tezacaftor (TEZ) and Ivacaftor (IVA) in their combined dosage form in human plasma was sensitive and selective method. In silico study has revealed that IVA and its metabolites IVA M1, IVA M6 are according to Lipinski rule. The oral bioactivity of IVA was found to be more when compared to its metabolites (Molinspiration) and TEZ and its metabolites TEZ M1, TEZ M2 even though they have the molecular weight > 500, but all other parameters from Molinspiration revealed better oral bioactivity of TEZ M2. Validation of the developed isocratic RP-HPLC procedure revealed that, regardless of how the sample was purified, the method was characterized by good linearity, sensitivity, reproducibility, specificity, and low values of LOD (0.090 μg/mL) and LOQ (0.275 μg/mL). From the in silico docking results, it is quite evident that metabolites of TEZ and IVA have the great potential against cystic fibrosis.

Background

Ivacaftor, (N-(2,4-ditert-butyl-5-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-1H-quinoline-3-carboxamide) [1] is used for treatment of cystic fibrosis. It has a role as a CFTR potentiator [2]. Tezacaftor, (1-(2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-N-[1-[(2R)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl]-6-fluoro-2-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)indol-5-yl] cyclopropane-1-carboxamide) [3] is used as a corrector of CFTR gene function [2]. Symdeko contains combination of Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor. Tezacaftor moves to defective CFTR protein onto the cell surface, while Ivacaftor helps to facilitate the opening of chloride channel on the cell surface to increase chlorine transport [2] (Figs. 1, 2 and 3).

Fig. 1

Chemical structure of a Ivacaftor and b Tezacaftor

Fig. 2

Chemical structure of a Ivacaftor M1 and b Ivacaftor M6

Fig. 3

Chemical structure of a Tezacaftor M1 and b Tezacaftor M2

Literature review reveals that analytical methods based on stability indicating studies [4] R.P-HPLC [4,5,6,7,8]. Degradation studies of Ivacaftor [9], stability indicating studies of Ivacaftor and Lumacaftor [10]. HPLC and L.C/M.S [11]. U.V. spectrophotometric method for the determination of Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor [12], UV determination of Ivacaftor [13], stability, and U.P.L.C [14]. Some papers have described the analysis of combination with other drugs in plasma, based on HPLC and L.C/M.S [11]. However, in most of the methods, mobile phase used consists of buffer, and there is no method reported regarding the simultaneous determination of Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor in human plasma.

The fixed dosage combination of two drugs is important for the treatment of pulmonary cystic fibrosis and thus a single precise method capable of separating the two drugs with good resolution using a simple mobile phase in human plasma is time-saving, novel, and rapid. Hence, in present work, we have developed a simple, linear, precise, accurate, and validated HPLC method for determination of Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor in mobile phase and human plasma according to ICH guidelines. The in silico tools provide a quick study and predict the biological activity as well toxicity associated with its metabolites [15] and give an indication of the pharmacological implications in humans [16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24].

Method

Pure samples

Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor purity of 99.9% were received as gift samples from Laurus Labs.

Formulation

Samples contained mixture of drugs and placebo in appropriate doses of drugs as per the Vortex Pharmaceutical preparation of Symdeko.

Chemicals and reagents

HPLC grade ACN, methanol, water, and formic acid were purchased from Fischer chemicals Ltd., India. All other reagents employed were of high purity analytical grade. All weighing was done on a calibrated analytical balance. Calibrated glassware was used throughout the work. Fresh human plasma was procured (Blood Group AB+VE) from local blood bank, i.e., Red Cross Society, Bill No. 5703.

RP-HPLC instrumentation and chromatographic conditions

The HPLC system (Shimadzu, spd-M20 A) equipped with Inspire, C18, (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm) column component having temperature control, PDA detector, and Rheodyne injector control. U.V. detection was performed at 235 nm based on UV spectrophotometric scanning from 200 to 400 nm and was recorded online for peak identification using Lab India (U.V. 3000⁺) U.V/Vis spectrophotometer. The mobile phase consisted of methanol and 0.05% formic acid in ratio of (95:5). The flow rate is 1.0 mL/min. The injection volume of sample was 20 μL. Column temperature was maintained at 30 ^°C.

Methodology

Selection of wave length

Accurately weighed 10 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 15 μg/mL of Ivacaftor were diluted to l0 mL ACN solvent. The above solution was scanned between 200 and 400 nm by UV-Visible spectroscopy (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4

UV-spectra of Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor

Preparation of mobile phase

Methanol and 0.05% formic acid in ratio of 95:5 v/v proportions were used as mobile phase which were filtered by vacuum filtration using 0.45 μ filter paper and were sonicated for 30 min prior to use.

Preparation of standard solution

About 100 mg of Tezacaftor and 100 mg of Ivacaftor were accurately weighed and transferred into 100 mL volumetric flask separately. ACN was added to ensure complete solubility, and the volume was adjusted with the mobile phase to obtain a concentration of 1000 μg/mL of TEZ and 1000 μg/mL IVA standard solutions.

Working standard solutions in mobile phase

Three hundred microliters and 450 μL of standard solutions of TEZ and IVA were pipetted out using micropipette into 10 mL volumetric flask seperately and diluted up to the mark with mobile phase to obtain working standard solutions of final concentrations 30 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 45 μg/mL of Ivacaftor.

Working standard solution in human plasma (protein precipitation method)

Ninety microliters of human plasma and 2 mL of ACN were added from standard solutions, 0.1 mL of Tezacaftor and 0.15 mL of Ivacaftor were taken in centrifuge tube. They were vortexed for 1 min and centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 20 min. The supernatant was collected and made up to 10 mL to get a final concentration 30 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 45 μg/mL of Ivacaftor and was vortexed for 1 min. These were filtered through 0.45-μ-pore size filters.

Optimized chromatographic conditions

Column: C18, Inspire^tm (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm)

Mobile phase: Methanol: 0.05% formic acid (95:05)

Flow rate: 1.00 mL/min

Detector wavelength: 235 nm

Column temperature: 30 ^°C

Injection volume: 20 μl

The working standard solutions in mobile phase and in human plasma were used for optimization of method development and validation parameters as per ICH guidelines (Fig. 5a, b)

Fig. 5

Optimised chromatograms of IVA and TEZ. a Optimized chromatogram. b Optimized chromatogram in mobile phase in human plasma

Validation

Linearity

Standard stock solutions containing 100 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 150 μg/mL of Ivacaftor were prepared. Aliquots of these solutions were further diluted to produce five different concentrations, correspondingly, to 10–50 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 15–75 μg/mL of Ivacaftor in both mobile phase and human plasma. Calibration curves for the different concentrations versus peak area were plotted for Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor, in both mobile phase and human plasma, and the obtained data were subjected to regression analysis (Figs. 6 and 7a, b) and the results were tabulated in Table 1.

Fig. 6

Linearity plot of Tezacaftor in mobile phase and human plasma respectively.

a Linearity curve of TEZ in mobile phase. b Linearity curve of TEZ in human plasma

Fig. 7

Linearity plot of Ivacaftor in mobile phase and human plasma respectively.

a Linearity curve of IVA in mobile phase. b Linearity curve of IVA in human plasma

Table 1 Various parameters used in validation of Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor linearity studies

Precision

The intraday precision was evaluated by analyzing six solutions (n = 6), at the final concentration of analyses 30 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 45 μg/mL of Ivacaftor in both mobile phase and human plasma. Similarly, the interday precision was evaluated. Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor were determined and the %R.S.D were calculated. Tables 2 and 3 results of the intermediate precision were tabulated in Tables 4 and 5

Table 2 Precision table of Tezacaftor in Mobile phase and Human plasma

Table 3 Precision table of Ivacaftor in mobile phase and human plasma

Table 4 Intermediate precision of Tezacaftor in mobile phase and human plasma

Table 5 Intermediate precision of Ivacaftor in mobile phase and human plasma

Accuracy

Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor reference standards were accurately weighed and added to a sample mixture at three different concentration levels (15 μg/mL, 30 μg/mL, and 45 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 22.5 μg/mL, 45 μg/mL, and 66.545 μg/mL of Ivacaftor). At each level, samples were prepared in triplicate and the recovery percentage was determined in both mobile phase and human plasma (Tables 6, 7, 8, and 9)

Table 6 % Recovery of Tezacaftor in mobile phase

Table 7 %Recovery of Tezacaftor in human plasma

Table 8 %Recovery of Ivacaftor in mobile phase

Table 9 % Recovery of Ivacaftor in human plasma

Robustness

Sample solution in both mobile phase and in human plasma were prepared and analyzed under the established conditions and by variation of the following analytical parameters flow rate of mobile phase (0.8 mL/min, 1.2 mL/min), column temperature (25 ^°C, 35 ^°C) and detection wavelength (225 nm, 245 nm). Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor were determined for each condition and the obtained data were submitted for statistical analysis (Table 10).

Table 10 Robustness study of Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor in Mobile phase and Human plasma

Detection and quantitation of limits

Lowest concentration of sample solution in human plasma, (10 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 15 μg/mL of Ivacaftor) were injected in to HPLC and based on standard deviation of the response and the slope. The LOD and LOQ are calculated according to ICH guidelines (Table 11).

$$ \mathrm{LOD}=3.3\times \mathrm{N}/\mathrm{S} $$

$$ \mathrm{LOQ}=10\times \mathrm{N}/\mathrm{S} $$

Table 11 LOD and LOQ study of Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor in mobile phase and human plasma

where N is the SD of peak area of drug, S is the slope of corresponding calibration curve.

Assay of fixed dose combination in placebo mixture

Mixture was prepared by mixing drugs with placebo according to tablet composition of Symdeko. A portion of powder, equivalent to 100 mg of Tezacaftor and 150 mg of Ivacaftor was accurately weighed and transferred into 100 mL volumetric flask, followed by addition of 100 mL ACN. The solution was sonicated for 30 min and diluted with ACN to volume. Further dilutions were made to get final concentration equivalent to 30 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 45 μg/mL of Ivacaftor and injected into HPLC after filtering through 0.45 μ filter (Table 12).

Table 12 Assay studies of Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor in mobile phase and human plasma

In silico docking studies

Molecular docking studies

Molecular docking studies were carried out between Ivacaftor [1], Tezacaftor [2], their metabolites [15], and pathological proteins [16] which are involved in cystic fibrosis and they are CFTR Protein which were downloaded from PDB were docked with the above-mentioned pathological proteins using PyRx [17]. The results were visualized using PyMol and Discovery studio visualizer (Discovery studio visualizer ver. 2.5) (Fig. 8a, b) (Tables 13 and 14).

Fig. 8

In silico docking studies by PyRx tool. a Binding of Ivacaftor to CFTR protein. b Binding of Ivacaftor M1 to CFTR protein. c Binding of Ivacaftor M6 to CFTR protein. d Binding of Tezacaftor to CFTR protein. e Binding of Tezacaftor M1 to CFTR protein. f Binding of Tezacaftor M2 to CFTR protein

Table 13 Molinspiration calculation of Ivacaftor and its metabolites

Table 14 Molinspiration calculation of Tezacaftor and its metabolites

admetSAR predictions

The pharmacokinetic properties such as Swiss ADME and pKCSM of the Ivacaftor and its metabolites Ivacaftor M1, M6 and Tezacaftor and metabolites Tezacaftor M1, M2 can be predicted [18]. In admetSAR, web-based query tools incorporating a molecular built-in interface enable the database to be queried by SMILES and structural similarity search. It provides the latest and most comprehensive manually curated data for diverse chemicals associated with known ADMET profiles (Tables 15, 16, 17, and 18).

Table 15 Bioactivities of Ivacaftor and its metabolites based on the drug likeness score were calculated using Molinspiration tool

Table 16 Bioactivities of Tezacaftor and its metabolites based on the drug likeness score were calculated using Molinspiration tool

Table 17 Predicted molecular pharmacokinetic properties of Ivacaftor and its metabolites using Swiss ADME database

Table 18 Predicted molecular pharmacokinetic properties of Tezacaftor and their metabolites using Swiss ADME database

Toxicity prediction of potential metabolites Molinspiration

This online tool helps the end user to analyze the molecular description and drug likeliness properties of compounds Molinspiration server works based on the Lipinski Rules of Five [19, 20]. The most “drug-like” compound must possess the following properties: LogP ≤ 5, molecular weight ≤ 500 Da, number of hydrogen bond acceptors ≤ 10, and number of hydrogen bond donors ≤ 5. Compounds that failed to show these characters are least considered as a drug. Molinspiration server calculates the important molecular properties of compounds based on partition coefficient (LogP), polar surface area, number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, and also prediction of bioactivity score for the drug targets such as G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) ligands, kinase, and protease inhibitors (EIs and PIs), ion channel modulators (ICMs), and nuclear receptor ligand (NRL). Topographical polar surface area (TPSA) was used to calculate the percentage of absorption using the following equation [21] (Tables 19 and 20).

$$ \mathrm{Percentage}\ \mathrm{of}\ \mathrm{absorbance}=109-0.345\times \mathrm{TPSA} $$

Table 19 Predicted molecular toxicity of Ivacaftor and its metabolites using data warrior

Table 20 Predicted molecular toxicity of Tezacaftor and its metabolites using data warrior

Biological activity spectrum (BAS)

Biological activity spectrum (BAS) of a compound represents an intrinsic property of the pharmacological effects, physiological and biochemical mechanisms of action, and specific toxicity (mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and embryotoxicity), which is largely dependent on the interaction with the biological system [22, 23]. The values vary from 0.000 to 1.000. Only those activity types for which Pa (probability to be active) > Pi (probability to be inactive) were considered possible [24, 25](Table 21).

Table 21 Biological spectrum of Ivaacaftor, Tezacaftor, and its metabolites

Results

Method development

Chromatographic parameters were optimized to develop a HPLC method for the simultaneous estimation of Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor in both mobile phase and in human plasma, with short analysis time (< 5 min) and acceptable resolution (R_s > 2) various composition of mobile phase like ACN:1% IPA (95:05), ACN: 1%I.P.A(80:20), ACN; 0.5% formic acid (70:30), ACN:0.5% formic acid (90:10), ACN: 0.1% formic acid (85:15), ACN:0.1% formic acid (90:10), were tried at flow rate of 1 mL/min. Methanol and 0.05% formic acid in ratio of 95.5 showed symmetrical peaks with good resolution in both mobile phase and human plasma. The optimum wavelength for detection was 235 nm and the RT was found to be 3.0 min and 3.8 min for Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor, respectively. Linearity curve was obtained in the concentration range of 10–50 μg/mL of Tezacaftor and 15–75 μg/mL of Ivacaftor. LOD and LOQ were determined from the slope and SD of Y-intercept of regression line of the calibration curve. The precision of the method and instrument precision were evaluated, and the %R.S.D values were less than 2% human plasma. The accuracy of the method was determined by recovery studies. The recovery studies were close to 100% which complies with ICH guidelines and FDA approval. Developed method was found to robust while changing the flow rate wavelength detection and temperature. The proposed method is superior when compared to the reported method with less RT and good separation and can be applied for biological fluids.

In silico study

The Lipinski “rule of five” is commonly used as an index during drug design and development to predict the oral bioavailability of the lead drug molecules. Based on Lipinski’s “rule of five,” drug compound should satisfy the following criteria: (1) the molecular weight of the candidate drug should be < 500, (2) LogP < 5, and (3) TPSA < 140, (4) natom (20–70), (5) nrob (< 10).

Discussions

A novel rapid method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor in human plasma was found to be linear, precise, accurate, and economical. The analytical conditions were optimized for short analysis time using formic acid as eluent during analysis in biological fluids. The acid is used to improve the chromatographic peak in presence of matrix, and it supplies proton to Tezacaftor which is having pKa value of 11.54. Formic acid has less molecular weight, due to its ion-pair nature, and volatility good resolution is obtained [24]. The %R.S.D for all parameters was found to be within limits for both mobile phase and human plasma. The results obtained are in good agreement and can be used for the routine analysis of Ivacaftor and Tezacaftor in combined dosage form in laboratories and for quality control purpose. This method can be applied for the assay, determination of drugs in plasma at different time intervals, can be applied for bioavailability studies, and can analyze multiple samples in 1 day. This method is said to be on par with L.C/M.S method. Molecular docking studies results of Ivacaftor and its metabolites revealed that there is no significant change in the binding energies (− 8.3, − 8.6, − 8.7 Kcal, respectively). Molecular docking studies results of Tezacaftor and its metabolites revealed that there is a significant change in the binding energy (− 7.8, − 10, − 10.8 Kcal, respectively). Hence, the biological activities and toxicity studies of drugs and their metabolites using Molinspiration, Swiss ADME database, and data warrior softwares were observed and that Ivacaftor has more biological activity and no prominent toxicity and Tezacaftor M2 has more biological activity.

Conclusion

From the results obtained, most parameters of Ivacaftor, Tezacaftor, and its metabolites were within the Lipinski Rule of Five. Hence, Ivacaftor and metabolites and Tezacaftor and its Metabolites do not violate the Lipinski rule and could be expected to be orally active as they followed Lipinski Rule of Five. If a molecule is predicted to have a bioactivity score of > 0.00, it is likely to demonstrate considerable biological activities, whereas the values − 0.50–0.00 indicate moderately active molecules, and less than 0.50 is presumed to be inactive.

From the results, it is obvious that the physiological actions of Ivacaftor M1 could be due to the strong interactions with GPCR ligands, NRLs, ICM, KI, EI, and inhibition of proteases and other enzymes. These bioactivity scores obtained suggested that Ivacaftor M1 compounds could interact with all the drug targets. All the compounds showed good bioactivity based on the scores obtained for all drug targets.

The physiological actions of Tezacaftor could be due to the strong interactions with GPCR ligands, NRLs, ICM, PI, EI, and inhibition of proteases and other enzymes. These bioactivity scores obtained suggested that Tezacaftor M2 compounds could interact with all the drug targets. All the compounds showed good bioactivity based on the scores obtained for all drug targets.

ADMET properties of Ivacaftor and its metabolites Ivacaftor M1, M6 and Tezacaftor and its metabolites Tezacaftor M1, M2 were calculated using Swiss ADME and Pkcsm. Ivacaftor M1 inhibit the enzyme CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 and no inhibition of CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 compared with Ivacaftor and no change in toxicity profile between Ivacaftor and its metabolites

Tezacaftor M1, M2 inhibit the enzyme CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4, and no inhibition of CYP1A2 and CYP2C19, compared with Tezacaftor which no inhibition in all cases and no change in toxicity profile between Tezacaftor and its metabolites. Ivacaftor use to treat cystic fibrosis. The obtained results also exhibit Pa > Pi values for all the metabolites. Hence, BAS tools predict the biological activities of Ivacaftor and its metabolites treat cystic fibrosis. Tezacaftor use to treat cystic fibrosis. The obtained results also exhibit Pa > Pi values for metabolites. Hence, BAS tools predict the biological activities of Tezcaftor and its metabolites in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.