Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

27 (2002) 39 – 50
www.elsevier.com/locate/jpba

LC determination of cephalosporins in in 6itro rat intestinal

sac absorption model
P. Sharma a, H.P.S Chawla b, R. Panchagnula a,*
a
Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67,
SAS Nagar 160 062, Punjab, India
b
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67,
SAS Nagar 160 062, Punjab, India
Received 23 January 2001; received in revised form 7 May 2001; accepted 21 May 2001

Abstract

Cefotaxime sodium (CX) and Ceftazidime pentahydrate (CZ) are peptidomimetic cephalosporins (CPS) which exist
as zwitterionic compounds at physiological pH and because of this reason they are not absorbed appreciably on
peroral administration. The permeability of these compounds can be increased transiently by altering membrane
characteristics of absorptive epithelium by use of sorption promoters (SPs). In present work a simple validated HPLC
method utilizing isocratic mobile phase and having short retention times for CX and CZ is developed which can be
used to monitor their concentrations in Kreb’s Ringer Bicarbonate (KRB) solution in in vitro intestinal sac
absorption model. The same was utilized to determine apparent permeability coefficients and absorption profiles of
CPS by modified Wilson–Wiseman method. The CPS were analysed by the reverse phase HPLC method using
Shim-pack C18 column. The mobile phase used was of isocratic composition with phosphate buffer (pH 7.0, 3.5 g/l
of KH2PO4 dissolved in 0.03 M Na2HPO4 · 2H2O) and methanol in proportion 85:15 for CZ and 70:30 for CX. The
flow rate was 1ml/min and quantitative determinations were carried out at 254 nm at 25 °C. The method was found
specific because none of the proposed SPs, components of KRB and intestinal sac artefacts interfered with the drug
peaks. The drug concentration versus area under peak relationship was found to be linear in concentration range of
0.25–20.0 mg/ml. The recovery studies, intraday variation, interday variation and interanalyst variation were within
statistical limits. The limit of detection (LOD) was 95.0 and 100.0 ng/ml for CZ and CX, respectively. The limit of
Quantitation (LOQ) was 240.0 and 250.0 ng/ml for CZ and CX, respectively. The proposed method was found to be
rapid and selective and hence applied for continuous monitoring of CPS in in vitro intestinal sac absorption studies.
© 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Reversed phase chromatography; Cefotaxime sodium; Ceftazidime petahydrate; Apparent permeability coefficient

1. Introduction
* Corresponding author. Tel.: + 91-172-214-682; fax: + 91-
172-214-692. Cephalosporins are semi-synthetic antibiotics of
E-mail address: [email protected] (R. Panchagnula). b-lactam family. Ceftazidime pentahydrate (CZ)

0731-7085/02/$ - see front matter © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
PII: S 0 7 3 1 - 7 0 8 5 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 5 0 6 - 4
40 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50

and Cefotaxime sodium (CX) are third generation cephalosporins in simple solutions and biological
peptidomimetic cephalosporins which, because of fluids [6,7], none of them qualify for
their low lipophilicities and zwitterionic character absorption studies. Among these are micro-
at physiological pH [1], exhibit low intrinsic mem- biological [8,9], colorimetric [10], high perfor-
brane permeabilities. mance liquid chromatography [11– 14], spectro-
CZ (usual dose 1– 6 g daily administered at scopic [15], fluorescence ELISA [16], fluorimetric,
8–12 h intervals) has been shown to be effective enzymatic and electrometric methods [17].
in wide range of infections which are usually of The method should be specific enough to detect
moderate or greater severity, including lower res- drug in presence of components of Kreb’s
piratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, Ringer Bicarbonate (KRB) solution, intestinal sac
septicaemia/bacteraemia, skin, soft tissue, bone artifacts and absorption enhancers (phar-
and joint infections, intra-abdominal, obstetric maceutical excipients added in medium to
and gynecological infections, meningitis, infec- increase absorption of cephalosporins). Addition-
tions in febrile neutropenic patients [2]. On ad- ally, it should be able to analyze drug content in
ministration of 1 g of CZ intramuscularly and large number of samples with minimum
intravenously, the plasma concentrations of 40 cost, time and labour. In the present work a
and 70 mg/ml are obtained, respectively. It is simple validated HPLC method utilizing isocratic
80– 90% eliminated in urine with biological half- mobile phase and with short retention times
life of 2 h [3]. for the CX and CZ is developed to monitor
CX is more active against multiple drug resis- their concentrations in in vitro intestinal
tant gram-negative bacilli than are moxalactum, sac absorption model. The same is utilized to
CZ and cefoperazone. It is indicated in genitouri- determine apparent permeability coefficients and
nary infections, gynecological, cutaneous, intra- absorption profiles of these drugs in in vitro
abdominal, bone and joint infections, septicemia conditions.
and in surgical prophylaxis [3]. When 2 g of CX is
administered intravenously, it produces plasma
levels of 80– 90 mg/ml. About 20 – 36% of the 2. Experimental
administered drug is eliminated unchanged in the
urine [4]. Half-life is 1– 1.3 h but increases to 2.1. Materials
3–12 h in renal failure. It is metabolised up to
extent of 30– 50% to give an active b-lactamase CZ and CX were gift samples generously sup-
stable metabolite. plied by Lupin Labs, India. All the solvents used
Both, CX and CZ, are peptidomimetic drugs were of HPLC grade (J.T. Baker) and reagents
(water soluble and poorly permeable through bio- were of analytical grade (Ranbaxy Labs Ltd, In-
logical membranes) and fall into the category of dia and Loba Chemie Pvt, India). The sorption
class III drugs according to BCS (Biopharmaceu- promoters used are designated as SP-1 and SP-2
tics Classification System) [5]. They exhibit poor and were purchased from Sigma Chemicals.
oral bioavailabilities because of their incapability Purified water obtained by reverse osmosis (USF
to permeate gastrointestinal tract mucosa. Due to ELGA) filtered through 0.45 mm membrane filter
their similarity in structural and biopharmaceutic was used throughout the study.
profile with proteins and peptides they can be
used as model drugs for characterising absorption 2.2. Chromatographic system and instrumentation
of peptidomimetics in in vitro everted rat intesti-
nal sac model. Shimadzu HPLC system equipped with LC-
This necessitates the need for analytical tool to 10AT VP pump, DGU-14AM on-line degasser,
monitor cephalosporins in in vitro everted rat SIL-10AD VP refrigerated autosampler, CTO-
intestinal sac absorption model. Although, there 10AS VP column oven and SPD-10AVP UV-VIS
are several methods for determination of detector was used. Shimadzu CLASS-VP software
 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50 41

was used for data acquisition and mathematical 2.4. Assay characteristics
computations. In addition, Mettler Toledo AG
245 electronic balance, Branson 3210 sonicator, The LOD and LOQ were determined using
Millipore filtration assembly and filters (HVLP aliquots of secondary stock solutions and KRB as
and HVHP), Minisart® NML (0.45 mm) Sartorius diluent. The test solutions of five different concen-
filters for samples, Nichipet Nichiryo (10–100 and trations were prepared from secondary stock solu-
100–1000 ml) micropipette, Hypodermic syringes tions to determine recovery studies in KRB. The
(2 ml), Microlitre syringes from Hamilton, Remi intraday and interday variations were determined
Magnetic stirrers with thermostatic controls (1 by analysis of the same calibration working stan-
MLH), Beckman UV – VIS spectrophotometer dards prepared within same day and between the
640i and USF ELGA for preparation of reverse different days by the same analyst. In case of
osmosis water were used in the study. interanaylst variation the calibration standards
The chromatographic conditions used in analy- were prepared by different analysts within the
sis are outlined in Table 1. same day and analysed by HPLC.

2.3. Preparation of standard stock solutions 2.5. Stability studies in KRB

Standard stock solutions of CZ and CX were Drug solutions in KRB of three different con-
prepared in KRB solution to obtain concentration centrations (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM) were selected for
of 1 mg/ml. The KRB composition was: NaCl: 7.0 experimentation to observe stability of drug in
g; KCl: 0.35 g; CaCl2: 0.28 g; MgSO4: 0.28 g; experimental conditions of absorption model.
NaHCO3: 2.1 g; KH2PO4: 0.16 g; Glucose: 5.05 g Drug solutions in KRB were kept at 37 °C with
and water prepared by reverse osmosis: 1000 ml. constant aeration for 120 min in in vitro perme-
The 100 ml of standard stock solution was ation assembly. Aliquots of 1 ml sample solution
diluted to 10.0 ml to obtain secondary stock were withdrawn in triplicate from the assembly at
solution (10 mg/ml). This solution was finally di- 0, 15 and 120 min, and filtered through Minisart®
luted to obtain working standards in the concen- NML (0.45 mm) Sartorius filters using 2 ml hypo-
tration range of 0.25– 10 mg/ml. In all dermic syringe assembly. For assay by HPLC 300
preparations KRB was freshly prepared, soni- ml of this solution was used to determine the drug
cated and filtered through 0.45 mm and all solu- content and 700 ml was used to obtain UV spectra
tions were stored at 4 °C. of sample solutions. Triplicate of each concentra-

Table 1
HPLC parameters for determination of CZ and CX in KRB solution

Parameter CZ CX

Method Reversed phase high performance liquid Reversed phase high performance liquid
chromatography chromatography
Mobile phase Isocratic composition, phosphate buffera: Methanol Isocratic composition, phosphate buffera: Methanol
85: 15 (v/v) 70: 30 (v/v)
Column C18 Shim-Pack (CLC-ODS-M) 4.6 mm ID×250 mm C18 Shim-Pack (CLC-ODS-M) 4.6 mm ID×250 mm
and 5 mm particle size and 5 mm particle size
Flow rate 1 ml/min 1 ml/min
Detection UV detector, 254 nm UV detector, 254 nm
Column 25 °C 25 °C
temperature
Injection 50 ml 50 ml
volume

a
Phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) composition: 3.5 g/l of KH2PO4 dissolved in 0.03M Na2HPO4 · 2H2O.
42 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50

tion at each time interval was assessed for stabil- into the serosal compartment using polyethylene
ity. The samples were kept at 4 °C in refrigerated tube attached to the needle of 5 ml glass syringe.
autosampler during the sequence run of samples The mucosal solution was continually aerated.
to quench the probable degradation of the drug. The 1.6 ml of serosal solution was removed from
Additionally, the stability of drugs in KRB at the sac at each time interval and equal volume of
4 °C in refrigerated autosampler (SIL-10AD VP), drug free KRB was replaced by sampling syringe
after subjecting them to experimental conditions with polyethylene tube attached to its needle. The
of in vitro absorption studies of 2 h, was also removed serosal solution was filtered via Min-
assessed by injecting samples of drug solutions at isart® NML (0.45 mm) Sartorius filters and 50 ml
0, 8, 12 and 24-h intervals. of filtered solution was injected in HPLC to esti-
mate drug content. The data acquisition was done
2.6. In 6itro e6erted intestinal sac absorption on Schimadzu CLASS-VP software and analysed
studies using Microsoft Excel. The cumulative amount of
drug permeated in mg through the sac was plotted
2.6.1. Surgical excision of intestinal segments against time (min). The slope of linear portion of
All the animal studies were done according to the graph was taken as permeation flux (F, mg
the guidelines of the local Institutional Animal min-1) [19]. The Apparent Permeability Coefficient
Ethical Care committee (IAEC). In vitro absorp- (APC) was calculated using following formula:
tion studies were performed using everted rat
jejunal segments [18]. Male-Sprague Dawley rats [N1]APC = SA ×FIDC cm min − 1, (1)
were fasted for 16– 24 h. Water was allowed ad
where: SA, surface area of barrier membrane
libitum. The animals were sacrificed by excessive
(cm2); and IDC, initial drug content in mucosal
ether inhalation. The intestine was rapidly re-
solution (mg)
moved from the anaesthetized rat and put into
beaker with KRB solution on ice, which was
continuously aerated. The intestine was divided
into the duodenum (below the pylorus), jejunum 3. Results and discussion
(5 cm away from ligament of Treitz), ileum (above
the caecum) and colon below the caecum. The 3.1. Range and linearity
jejunal segments ( 6 cm) are used in present
studies (n =3 – 6). The calibration curve of CZ and CX were
constructed in KRB solution. It was used as
2.6.2. E6ersion of small intestine solvent medium because this method will be used
The flattened end of the everting smooth glass to monitor concentrations of these drugs in in
rod was carefully inserted in the intestine, which vitro rat intestinal sac absorption experiments.
was affixed to the rod with a piece of silk thread. The linearity was observed in the concentration
The intestine was gently rolled over itself until the range of 0.25–20 mg/ml. The regression statistics
tied end emerges at the other end of the intestinal are shown in Table 2. This concentration range
segment. The intestinal segments of 5 cm length was selected on the basis of anticipated drug
when stretched by an 8 g weight are then cut from concentrations in in vitro absorption studies. The
jejunal region of intestine. The distal end of the goodness of fit (r 2) in both cases was found to be
segment was tied and attached to a 2 g weight and \0.97 indicating functional linear relationship
the proximal end was attached to the cannula. between concentration of analyte and the area
The segment was suspended in the predetermined under peak. The mean values of slope and inter-
volume (40 ml) of mucosal solution containing the cept in case of CX are 8.5295× 10 − 6 (RSD=
drug (0.5 mM). The cannula was adjusted to 4.43) and 0.2264 (RSD= 3.65) whereas in case of
immerse the sac completely in mucosal solution CZ are 7.8301× 10 − 6 (RSD =5.16) and 0.2783
and then 3 ml of drug free KRB was then placed (RSD= 0.92), respectively.
 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50 43

Table 2
Regression statistics of CZ and CX

Drug Analyst Day Number of replicates (n) Goodness of fit (R 2) Slope Intercept

CZ Analyst 1 Day 1 6 0.9952 8.2880×10–6 0.2754

Day 2 3 0.9932 7.5254×10−6 0.2801
Analyst 2 Day 1 6 0.9960 7.6771×10−6 0.2795
CX Analyst 1 Day 1 6 0.9948 8.1538×10–6 0.229
Day 2 3 0.9969 8.7949×10 −6 0.2172
Analyst 2 Day 1 6 0.9978 8.8289×10−6 0.2331

Table 3
LOD and LOQ of CZ and CX

Drug Method parameter Parameter value (ng/ml) No. samples %RSD

CZ LOD 95 5 0.95
LOQ 240 3 0.69
CX LOD 100 3 1.95
LOQ 250 6 1.47

3.2. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of of the analyte recovered by assay or by spiking
quantitation (LOQ) samples in a blind study. The percentage recover-
ies of CZ and CX were in the range of 96.98 to
The limit of detection is defined as the lowest 104.13 and 95.67 to 101.72, respectively. The RSD
concentration of the analyte in a sample that can values in all the cases were B 2%, which implies
be detected by the method of analysis. It is ex- the accuracy of the method. To confirm the accu-
pressed as a concentration at a specified signal to racy of the proposed method, recovery experi-
noise ratio, usually two or three to one [20]. The ments were carried out by standard addition
lower limits of detection of CZ and CX were technique in which quality control samples were
found to be 95 and 100 ng/ml, respectively (Table prepared by spiking the KRB with known
3). The limit of quantitation is defined as the amount of drug to obtain 5 different concentra-
lowest concentration of the analyte in sample that tion levels within the calibration curve range.
can be determined with acceptable precision and Each level was determined in replicates (n= 6)
accuracy under the stated operational conditions and the amount of drug was found by the assay
of the method. The signal to noise ratio of 10:1 method. The results are reported in the Table 4.
can be taken as LOQ of the method [20]. The The results show that the method is accurate.
method was sensitive enough to quantitate 240
ng/ml of CZ and 250 ng/ml of CX solutions in 3.4. Precision
KRB.
Precision is the degree of repeatability of an
3.3. Accuracy analytical method under operation and is usually
expressed as the percent relative standard devia-
Accuracy is the exactness of the analytical tion for a statistically significant number of sam-
method or the closeness of the agreement between ples. To determine intra- and interday precision of
the value (which is accepted either as a conven- the assay, replicates (n=3–6) sets of calibration
tional true value or an accepted reference value) samples were analysed within the same day and
and the value found. It is measured as the percent between different days by the same analyst. The
44 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50

relative standard deviation of the assay results 3.6. Stability of the drugs in in 6itro absorption
was determined and the results are shown in model
Table 5. The variation in intraday estimations of
drug content in KRB is least followed by interday It is absolutely essential to check whether the
variation and interanalyst variation. Since the drug degrade in the KRB under the stated condi-
drug solutions are not very stable in aqueous tions of temperature and aeration in in vitro
solutions, the stock solutions were prepared ev- intestinal sac absorption studies. The three differ-
eryday. This accounts for greater interday varia- ent concentrations of both the drugs, viz, 0.1, 0.5
tion compared to intraday variation. The stock and 1.0 mM were studied for their stability in
solutions prepared by different analysts on differ- conditions of in vitro absorption model. CZ was
ent days will tend to be even more susceptible to found to be stable in conditions of in vitro ab-
variation due to different working habits in unit sorption model experimentation as indicated in
operations like weighing, dilutions etc. Further, Table 6 within the limits of experimental error of
the percentage variation observed for CX is more developed HPLC method. This data was qualita-
than CZ indicating that method is more sensitive tively supplemented by UV spectra obtained at
to CZ than CX. different intervals of time. It was observed that
characteristic umax of CZ was unaltered and spec-
tral shape was retained till 120 min. Mason et al
3.5. Specificity
[21] had observed that CZ and tobramycin were
Specificity according to USP is the ability to stable up to 16 h at room temperature when
measure accurately and specifically the analyte of combined in a dextrose containing dialysis solu-
interest in the presence of the other components tion, and for a further 8 h at 37 °C. CZ concen-
that might be expected to be present in the sample tration remained \ 90% of the initial
matrix. The mean retention time of CZ was found concentration for 3 days in parenteral nutrition
to be 7.96 (1.73% RSD). The drug peak was not mixture at 4 °C and for 12 h at 22 °C in admix-
interfered by any of the components of KRB and tures containing 6 mg/ml of CZ [22]. Previous
absorption enhancers, which will be used in in reports indicate that reconstituted 1 g vials of CZ
vitro absorption studies. The representative chro- for injection added to 50 ml minibags of sodium
matograms of CX and CZ with (0.25%w/v) SP-1 chloride injection (0.9%) were found to be stable
& (0.25 w/v) SP-2 are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The for 97 days when stored at − 20 °C. A frozen
method is specific to detect the peak of drugs in shelf life of 42 days was suggested, to allow for a
presence of the intestinal sac artifacts as evident refrigeration life of 4 days followed by 24 h at
from chromatograms in Figs. 1 and 2. The mean room temperature [23]. The stability data for CX
retention time of CX was found to be 7.52 (0.27% is depicted in Table 6. The results are consistent
RSD) and similar to CZ, peak of CX was also not with previous work done by Rivers et al. [24]
interfered by sorption promoters and intestinal according to which the CX remained stable for 72
sac artifacts. h at 8 °C in i.v. admixture containing metronida-

Table 4
Percentage recovery of CZ and CX in KRB solutions

Concentration (mg/ml) CZ% recovery % RSD CX% recovery % RSD

0.4 104.13 1.83 98.66 0.89

0.8 96.98 0.97 98.59 1.69
2.5 98.03 0.44 95.67 1.87
7.5 99.45 0.44 95.79 0.85
18.0 99.42 0.54 101.72 1.32
 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50
Table 5
Precision of the method

Concentration CZ CX
(mg/ml)
Intraday variation Interday variation Interanalyst variation Intraday variation Interday variation Interanalyst variation
(%RSD) (%RSD) (%RSD) (%RSD) (%RSD) (%RSD)

0.25 1.32 1.15 1.06 0.86 1.53 1.14

0.5 0.79 0.83 1.55 1.14 0.52 1.40
0.75 1.63 0.90 1.45 0.50 1.65 0.66
1.0 0.35 1.98 1.07 0.18 1.99 1.41
5.0 0.28 0.53 0.80 0.38 1.60 1.85
10.0 0.31 0.62 1.23 0.10 1.30 1.45
15.0 1.03 0.84 0.97 1.06 1.63 1.25
20.0 1.03 0.52 1.60 0.62 0.76 1.60

45
46 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50

Fig. 1. Representative chromatograms of CX with: (A) SP-1 (0.25%); (B) SP-2 (0.25%); and (C) along with the intestinal sac
artifacts.
 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50 47

Fig. 2. Representative chromatograms of CZ with: (A) SP-1 (0.25%); (B) SP-2 (0.25%); and (C) along with the intestinal sac artifacts.
48 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50

Table 6
Stability of CX and CZ in KRB at 4 °C in refrigerated autosampler (SIL-10 AD VP) for 24 h (n =3)

Concentration (mM) Time (min) Percentage of drug remaining as compared to ‘0’ min

CZ CX

0.1 0 100.00 (0.14) 100.00 (0.94)

30 100.30 (0.70) 99.72 (0.56)
60 99.76 (0.04) 99.10 (0.56)
120 99.34 (0.61) 99.22 (0.63)
0.5 0 100.00 (0.27) 100.00 (0.06)
30 99.63 (0.44) 99.07 (0.12)
60 99.67 (0.24) 99.85 (.072)
120 99.37 (0.14) 100.37 (0.51)
1.0 0 100.00 (0.18) 100.00 (0.06)
30 99.92 (0.80) 99.86 (0.05)
60 100.1 (0.51) 100.03 (0.09)
120 99.60 (0.43) 99.39 (0.15)

S.D. is indicated in parentheses.

Table 7
Stability of CZ and CX in KRB at 4 °C in refrigerated autosampler (SIL-10 AD VP) for 24 h (n =3)

Concentration (mM) Time (h) Percentage of drug remaining as compared to ‘0’ min

CZ CX

0.1 0 100.00 (0.07) 100.00 (0.24)

8 100.69 (0.21) 100.72 (0.06)
12 98.27 (0.18) 100.24 (0.29)
24 98.05 (0.77) 98.24 (0.20)
0.5 0 100.00 (0.17) 100.00 (0.36)
8 100.04 (0.73) 100.46 (0.72)
12 99.22 (0.26) 99.18 (0.39)
24 99.16 (0.16) 98.40 (0.41)
1.0 0 100.00 (0.18) 100.00 (0.08)
8 100.83 (0.17) 99.63 (0.25)
12 99.74 (0.84) 98.52 (0.14)
24 97.66 (0.25) 97.80 (0.06)

S.D. is indicated in parentheses.

zole. Thus, it is possible to use in vitro everted sac analysed for chemical stability in KRB at 4 °C in
absorption model to predict the absorption profiles HPLC autosampler for 24 h. This was necessary to
of cephalosporins. Raeissi et al. [1] had used insure that drug do not degrade while the solutions
cephalosporins in concentration of 1 mM to ob- were analysed in sequence run using the autosam-
serve the role of an a- amino group on H+-depen- pler. The data is shown in Table 7. Although,
dent transepithelial transport of cephalosporins in solutions of both the drugs are stable up to 12 h,
CaCo-2 cells with drug solutions of pH 6.0 and 7.4 they show sign of some degradation as evident from
at 37 °C wherein transportation was monitored for decrease in percentage drug content at 24 h. Thus,
120 min. The concentration of 0.5 mM is arbitrarily it would be better to analyse the drug solutions in
selected for further in vitro absorption studies of KRB within 12 h of collection from in vitro
both drugs. Additionally, both of the drugs were absorption experiments.
 P. Sharma et al. / J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 27 (2002) 39–50 49

3.7. In 6itro e6erted intestinal sac absorption fered by any of absorption enhancers and intesti-
studies nal sac artifacts. The method is accurate and
precise as evident from low % RSD values in
The cumulative amount of drug permeated in recovery studies, interday and intraday variation.
mg through the sac was plotted against time (min).
The slope of linear portion of the graph was taken
as permeation flux (F, mg min − 1) [17]. The APC Acknowledgements
was calculated using Eq. (1). The amount of drug
absorbed in mg per unit area of sac is plotted One of the authors, P. Sharma, acknowledges
against time (min) to obtain absorption profiles of CSIR, New Delhi, India for providing research
CX and CZ (Fig. 3). The APC of CZ and CX are fellowship.
1.17 (90.10) × 10 − 5 cm/min and 1.20 (9
0.11)× 10 − 5 cm/min, respectively.
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