Open-access Novel Isocratic HPLC Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Sacubitril and Valsartan in Bulk and Formulation

Abstract

In compliance with ICH requirements, a new selective, precise, and accurate reverse-phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic method for valsartan and sacubitril quantification was developed and validated. Eluents were detected at 284 nm. The HPLC method was designed utilizing a C18, (150mm × 4.6mm, 3.5μm) column with 1% Acetic acid in water: Methanol (45:55 v/v) as a mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. For valsartan and sacubitril, the calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 10 to 100 ng/mL (R2 = 1) and 20 to 140 ng/mL (R2 = 1), respectively. Valsartan and sacubitril were shown to have average retention times of 5.79 and 7.019 minutes, respectively. Valsartan and sacubitril had average percentage recoveries of 99.83± 0.14 and 100.06± 0.19 percent, respectively. Valsartan and sacubitril had respective LOD values of 0.0958 and 0.1059 ng/mL. The suggested method's intraand inter-day precision values (% RSD) were under 2%. For the simultaneous measurement of valsartan and sacubitril, a straightforward, exact, accurate, linear, and quick RP-HPLC technique was created and verified by ICH recommendations. The findings imply that the devised approach can be used for pharmaceutical formulation and routine bulk measurement of valsartan and sacubitril. The method’s applicability was confirmed through successful analysis of pharmaceutical formulations, indicating its potential utility for routine quality control and stability testing of Sacubitril and Valsartan in combined dosage forms. The choice of gradient elution, despite its complexity, was justified by the need for improved separation and resolution, which are critical for the accurate determination of these therapeutic agents.

Keywords:
Valsartan; Sacubitril; Validation; RP-HPLC; Analytical

HIGHLIGHTS

New HPLC method for measuring valsartan & sacubitril in meds.

Separates &detects both drugs precisely.

Validated according to ICH guidelines (accurate & reliable)

Applicable to routine analysis of pharmaceutical formulations.

INTRODUCTION

Therapies for neurohormonal antagonism, which are traditionally represented by the combination of beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB), have significantly improved the course of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). [1-5] The discovery that sacubitril/valsartan is superior to enalapril in lowering rates of cardiovascular (CV) death or first HF hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR] 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-0.87), as well as the two single endpoints, represents a recent and significant advancement in medical therapy for HFrEF. This finding led to recommendations to either switch from ACEi/ARB to sacubitril/valsartan in patients with LVEF ≤ 35% who remain symptomatic despite optimal treatment with ACEi, beta-blockers, and MRA (European Society of Cardiology guidelines; class I, level of evidence B) or to switch to sacubitril/valsartan whenever ACEi/ARB are tolerated (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines; class I, level of B-Residence BR). [2-7] Vericiguat reduced the important composite endpoint of CV death or HF hospitalization (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.98), with a decrease in HF hospitalizations as the main contributing factor. Inducing the synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, vericiguat is a downstream effector of natriuretic peptides (NPs) including atrial and B-type NP (ANP, BNP), whose circulating levels are enhanced by sacubitril/valsartan together with the various substrates of neurolysin. [9-12] The potent and specific inhibitors dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, which seem to directly affect the heart and vasculature, block the renal sodium-glucose co-transporter SGLT2. [11-14]

Sacubitril (Figure 1) and valsartan (Figure 2), a combination drug used in the treatment of heart failure, have been widely studied for their pharmacological benefits. Various analytical methods have been developed to quantify these drugs in bulk and dosage forms. Among these methods, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been most commonly employed due to its precision and accuracy. Other methods include ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and spectrophotometric methods. Each technique offers unique advantages in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and applicability to different matrices.

Figure 1
Chemical Structure of Sacubitril [12]

Figure 2
Chemical Structure of Valsartan [14]

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Chemicals and Reagent: We bought D Sacubitril, Trifluoroacetic Acid, and Valsartan Trisodium Salt Hemi Pentahydrate from TCI Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd. in Chennai. Every chemical and reagent that was utilized had at least an analytical grade. Water and methanol of HPLC grade were used in the planned investigation.

Instruments: An HPLC system made by Shimadzu (Japan) was utilized for chromatographic analysis. It had a column oven (CTO-10A (C) vp), pumps (model 2LC-10AD vp), an autosampler (sil-10AD vp), and a UV detector (UV SPD-10A (V) vp). The "Extrapure" water purification system (Lablink) provided HPLC quality waters. An ultrasonicator (PCiAnalyticals) was used to degas the mobile phase. The analytical balance Vibra HT (Essae) was utilized to weigh. Using an X-Bridge Shield, RP18, 150 mm x 4.6 mm, 3.5 µm, at 40 o C, analysis was performed at 254 nm.

Optimization: of RP-HPLC Method To get the best circumstances for the separation of both medications, chromatographic conditions were optimized by infusing standard solutions (20 ng/mL Valsartan and 30 ng/mL Sacubitril) into the HPLC system and allowing them to run in distinct mobile phases.

Preparation of Mobile Phase:

Mobile Phase A

Mixing 0.1 mL of trifluoroacetic acid with 1000 mL of water, the mobile phase is then filtered through a membrane filter (a Millipore Nylon disc filter with a 0.45 μ size). This filtered mobile phase was placed in an ultrasonic bath and sonicated for ten minutes.

Mobile Phase B

Mixing 0.1 mL of trifluoroacetic acid with 1000 mL of acetonitrile, the mobile phase is then filtered through a membrane filter (a Millipore Nylon disc filter with a 0.45 μ opening). This filtered mobile phase was placed in an ultrasonic bath and sonicated for ten minutes.

Preparation of Diluent

Combine Mobile Phases A and B in a 50:50 v/v ratio and allow to degas.

Preparation of standard stock solution

Valsartan (Stock I) and sacubitril (Stock II) stock solutions (10 mg/10 mL) were made independently in diluent and filtered using a 0.45-m nylon membrane syringe filter.

Preparation of standard calibration curve

Stocks I and II were combined and appropriately diluted with methanol to produce seven calibrations standards (CAL STD) that combined sacubitril and valsartan: Calibration standards for sacubitril and valsartan, respectively, representing 10, 15, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 ng/mL and 20, 30, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 ng/mL l strength. Following the injection of each solution into the HPLC columns, the peak area of each solution was determined. Plotting the peak area Vs concentration (μg) standard calibration curves.

Method Validation

The developed procedure underwent ICH guidelines validation. System appropriateness, linearity, range, LOD, LOQ, accuracy, precision, and stability were among the several analytical technique validation characteristics that were evaluated.

System Suitability The system suitability test was conducted using a freshly made standard working solution that contained 25 ng/mL of sacubitril and 15 ng/mL of valsartan, before the main analysis. Five replicates of the aforementioned solutions were tested, and the retention time, peak area, and theoretical plates were examined. Less than 2% relative standard deviation (RSD) was set for retention duration and peak area, and more than 1500 theoretical plates were required for both sacubitril and valsartan in the system suitability tests. Using the following formula, the resolution (acceptance criteria > 3) was determined.

R = [ ( t 2 - t 1 ) / ( W 2 + W 1 ) ] = 1.18

Where W1 and t1 represent the peak width and retention time at half height of valsartan, and t2 and W2 represent the peak width and retention time at half height of sacubitril.

Validation Parameter:

Linearity

Seven distinct CAL STDs were used to calculate the proposed method's linearity. Following the study of CAL STDs, linear regression analysis was carried out and calibration curves showing concentration vs. peak area were demonstrated.

Accuracy (% Recovery)

Recovery studies were carried out using the usual addition method with drug concentrations at 80%, 100%, and 120% to guarantee the accuracy of the procedure. The amount discovered and the actual amount added were used to compute the percent recovery.

Precision

At three distinct levels-LQC (valsartan 15 ng/mL + sacubitril 25 ng/mL), MQC (valsartan 50 ng/mL + sacubitril 70 ng/mL), and HQC (valsartan 90 ng/mL + sacubitril 130 ng/mL)-the proposed method's precision was assessed. By examining the solutions at various times during the same day and three days in a row, the intra-day and inter-day precision was ascertained.

LOD and LOQ

The CAL STD-1 was examined to determine the ASTM LOD and LOQ. Using the HPLC software setting "Annotations," the CAL STD-1 chromatogram was processed. The results were given as LOD and LOQ for sacubitril and valsartan.

Estimation of Valsartan and Sacubitril in pharmaceutical formulation

Place 16 whole tablets, or 800 mg of Valsartan Sacubitril, into a 250 mL volumetric flask. Next, add 170 ml of diluent, and sonicate for 20 to 25 minutes while shaking occasionally. Finally, top up the volume with a diluent and thoroughly mix. This solution should be filtered using a 0.45 µm Teflon filter. Three pre-optimized HPLC settings were used to examine a predetermined volume of solution. The pharmaceutical formulation's contents were determined by comparing the sample's mean peak area to the standards.

RESULTS

Implementing a satisfactory resolution between the two chemicals was deemed to be the method's most crucial criterions, or resolution. The solubility and pKa of both compounds were used to determine the optimal mobile phase composition. The resulting optimized chromatographic conditions are listed in Table 1 and yield the best resolution. Valsartan and sacubitril had retention times of 5.79 and 7.05 minutes, respectively, under these circumstances (Figure 3)

Table 1 (a)
The ideal chromatographic parameters
Table 1 (b)
Gradient Program

Figure 3
A typical Valsartan and Sacubitril RP-HPLC chromatogram

System suitability

RSD of every parameter was computed during the system suitability test to assess the suggested method's applicability. Based on the findings, it was discovered that there were more than 2000 theoretical plates and that the percentage RSD for both peak area and retention duration was less than 2. (Table 2).

Table 2
System relevance parameters for sacubitril and valsartan

Method Validation:

Linearity and Range:

The two key analytical technique parameters that show the bounds within which the planned approach should be applied for the best results are linearity and range. A seven-point calibration curve for valsartan (10-100 ng/mL) and sacubitril (20-140 ng/mL) was created, taking into account the critical necessity of linearity and range. Table 3 shows various concentrations and peak area values. The equation y = 10053x + 108.42 for valsartan and y = 10656x + 26.27 for sacubitril, with correlation coefficients of 1 and 1, respectively, was obtained from the calibration curve using least square regression analysis (Figure 4 and 5). The results of the linearity analysis showed that the response and medication concentration were linearly correlated in the range of 10-100 ng/mL for valsartan and 20-140 ng/mL for sacubitril

Table 3
Linearity of Valsartan and Sacubitril

Figure 4
Linearity curve of Valsartan

Figure 5
Linearity curve of Sacubitril

Accuracy (% Recovery)

Accuracy can be defined as how closely test results match the true value found using the suggested procedures. An analytical method's correctness should be determined throughout its calibration range to ensure that the results are accurate at every stage of the determination process. Accuracy for sacubitril and valsartan was assessed by recovery trials. Valsartan and sacubitril were shown to have mean recovery rates of 99.98 and 100.18%, respectively, at 80, 100, and 120% standard addition. It was discovered that the relative standard deviation (% RSD) was less than 2 (Table 4). It was determined from the accuracy studies' findings that the analytical method demonstrated good accuracy.

Table 4
Recovery studies of Valsartan and Sacubitril
Precision

By analyzing LQC, MQC, and HQC STDs containing both medications at concentrations spanning the whole calibration range, precision was investigated. The findings for the intraand inter-day precision research, are presented in percentage RSD (Tables 5 and 6). For valsartan and sacubitril, the percent RSD values of the intra-day precision study were 0.1858 and 0.9851, respectively, while the inter-day precision values were 0.1505 and 1.081, respectively. The analytical method was shown to have good repeatability.

Table 5
Intra-day precision data for Valsartan and Sacubitril
Table 6
Inter-day precision data for Valsartan and Sacubitril
LOD and LOQ

Limitation of detection LOD (limit of quantification) and signal-to-noise ratio of three Based on the signal-to-noise ratios, the LOQ (signal-to-noise ratio of 10) was calculated. The values for sacubitril were 0.1059 and 0.5097 ng/mL, while the values for valsartan were 0.0958 and 0.4587 ng/mL, respectively.

Estimation of Valsartan and Sacubitril in Pharmaceutical Formulation

Valsartan and sacubitril in pharmaceutical formulations were successfully determined using the suggested validated analytical approach. Typical HPLC chromatograms produced by analyzing pharmaceutical formulations are shown in Figure 3. Assay findings (n = 5) showed that 99.76% of sacubitril and 99.58% of valsartan were obtained. The assay's findings show that the excipients don't interfere with the method's abilities to analyze valsartan and sacubitril.

CONCLUSION

A straightforward, sensitive, exact, and accurate RP-HPLC method was created and proven to be effective for simultaneously measuring sacubitril and valsartan. Additionally, it was discovered that the devised methods could be applied to the regular examination of pharmaceutical compositions that contained sacubitril and valsartan.

Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives

The newly developed RP-HPLC method has demonstrated high sensitivity, precision, and accuracy for the simultaneous quantification of sacubitril and valsartan. This method holds significant promise for routine analysis in pharmaceutical formulations, ensuring consistent quality control and reliable results.

Future Perspectives:

  • Wider Applications: The validated method could be further explored for use with other drug combinations or in different pharmaceutical matrices.

  • Automation and Integration: Future research could focus on automating this0method forhigh-throughput screening, enhancing efficiency in pharmaceutical labs.

  • Regulatory Acceptance: Efforts should be directed towards obtaining regulatory validation and acceptance, ensuring the method meets international standards.

  • Environmental Impact: Considering green chemistry approaches to minimize the environmental footprint of the analytical process

  • Funding:
    This research was self-funded.

Acknowledgement:

The authors express their gratitude to the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University for providing the necessary infrastructure and research facilities for this study. We would also like to pay gratitude to Dr. Alka Karnik for their support.

Data availability statement:

Research data are available in the body of the manuscript.

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  • Editor-in-Chief:
    Paulo Vitor Farago
  • Associate Editor:
    Paulo Vitor Farago

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    10 Nov 2025
  • Date of issue
    2025

History

  • Received
    29 Apr 2024
  • Accepted
    03 May 2025
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