Stability Study of Artesunate

Abstract

In this work the stability of artesunate in solid form and liquid form towards high temperature and direct sunlight, was investigated and analyzed by using deferent analytical method such as high performance liquid chromatography UV spectroscopy and potentiometeric titration. 1. The reaction rate of artesunate was pH and temperature dependent.Artesunate stability varies as a function of pH and temperature. 2. All the investigated pharmacetical excipients were found to increase the thermal instability at 70 0C in aqueous media. The tendency of which to increase the thermal stability was in the following order: methyl paraben,Propyl paraben,talcum powder,sodium benzoate,povidon and aerosil respectively 3. .Artesunate was affected when exposed to UV radiation in solid and liquid form.The photothermal reaction rate of artesunate in aqueous media and solid state showed first order reaction kinetics. 4. The result reveals that temperature above 40 0C affected the stability of artesunate when the test solution was exposed to direct sunlight, in both liquid form and solid form.5.The hydrolysis of artesunate by sodium hydroxide 2M,yielded different products which compared to the hydrolysis in hydrochloric acid 2M. 6. With increased temperature, the rate of decomposition was increased. 7. At low pH value as 2 and 3, artesunate was more hydrolysed than in neutral pH 7.0 were stable. 8. At high pH values, decomposition of artesunate was rapid both at room temperature and in sunlight. 9. Titration methods were not adequate for determination of artesunate in presence of 0.05M NaOH as hydrolysis product like succinic acid would be produced. 10.High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was found to be stability indicating method of analysis of artesunate and its related substances.