HPLC Method for Separation of a Mixture of Antifungal Agents on Primesep B Column

HPLC Method for Analysis of Antifungal Agents on Primesep B by SIELC Technologies

Separation and Analysis of Antifungal Agents on a Primesep B Column Using Gradient HPLC Method

Antifungal agents are drugs used to treat fungal infections. Depending on their mechanism of action and chemical structure, antifungal agents can be categorized into several classes. Here are some of the main classes and examples of antifungal agents:

1. Fluconazole: A triazole antifungal mainly used for the treatment and prevention of superficial and systemic fungal infections.
2. Ketoconazole: An imidazole antifungal used to treat a wide variety of fungal infections, though its oral use has become less common due to potential side effects. It’s still frequently used topically.
3. Climbazole: An imidazole antifungal primarily used in hair care products to treat dandruff.
4. Clotrimazole: An imidazole antifungal used to treat various fungal infections including vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, and ringworm.
5. Itraconazole: A triazole antifungal used primarily to treat a variety of systemic fungal infections.
6. Terbinafine: This compound belongs to the allylamine class. It’s mainly used to treat fungal infections of the nails and skin, like athlete’s foot and ringworm.
7. Econazole: An imidazole antifungal used mainly for skin infections such as athlete’s foot and ringworm.
8. Miconazole: An imidazole antifungal with a broad spectrum of activity. It’s used for a variety of skin infections and also as a vaginal cream for yeast infections.
9. Triclosan: This is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. While it has some antifungal activity, it’s more commonly known for its antibacterial properties. Due to concerns regarding its safety and potential contribution to antibiotic resistance, its use in hand soaps and some other personal care products has been phased out in several regions.

Of these, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, climbazole, clotrimazole, econazole, and miconazole belong to the azole class, which primarily acts by inhibiting the fungal enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase. This enzyme is crucial for ergosterol synthesis, a vital component of fungal cell membranes. Terbinafine, on the other hand, inhibits squalene epoxidase, another enzyme important in ergosterol synthesis. Triclosan works through a different mechanism, targeting bacterial and fungal fatty acid synthesis.

Antifungal Agents can be separated, retained, and analyzed on a Primesep B mix mode phase column using an gradient analytical method with a simple mobile phase of water, Acetonitrile (MeCN), and sulfuric acid as a buffer. This analysis method can be detected in the UV 200 nm.