Simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detection for the determination of plasma propranolol concentration

Abstract

We report a simple, inexpensive and sensitive method for quantifying plasma propranolol concentration using HPLC with ultraviolet detection. Previous publications for determination of plasma propranolol concentrations uses HPLC with fluorescent detectors. Propranolol and oxprenolol (internal standard) were extracted from plasma using heptane followed by heptane evaporation and reconstitution of residue. Separation was achieved using a Waters C18 analytical column and mobile phase comprising of a mixture of water, methanol, acetronitrile, acetic acid and triethylamine (210:80:70:2.5:0.l, v/v) at flow rate of 0.5mls/min. detection wavelength was set at 295nm. Standard curves were linear for concentrations of propranolol between 10 to 200ng/ml. Method sensitivity was 5ng/ml and recovery averaged at 90%. Coefficient of variation within day and between days ranged from 4.25-9.6%.