The field of allergy treatment and respiratory care has taken a significant leap forward with the introduction of a validated method aimed at assessing the effectiveness of therapy. A team of researchers from Ain Shams University has developed and validated a rapid and efficient reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method capable of simultaneously measuring azelastine hydrochloride (AZT), fluticasone propionate (FP), and oxymetazoline (OXY), key medications used for seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and COVID-19 symptoms.
Azelastine is known for its swift action when introduced through the nasal route; fluticasone functions as a corticosteroid mitigating inflammation; and oxymetazoline serves as a vasoconstrictor aiding nasal congestion. The combination of these medications has demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy over monotherapies.
According to the study, the RP-HPLC method achieved impressive results, showcasing strong selectivity and clear separation of the analytes within just 10 minutes. This is particularly important because nasal swabs and mucosa samples were collected from real human participants to validate the method's practical significance.
The methodology involved using acetonitrile for sample extraction followed by chromatographic analysis using UV detection. Notably, the study confirmed average recoveries ranging from 101% to 105% for all three analytes across different sample conditions, demonstrating robustness and reliability.
"Our method shows good selectivity, with no peaks observed in the blank nasal mucosa chromatogram, at the retention time of each analyte," the researchers noted, emphasizing the method's specificity. This step is fundamental for accurate medication monitoring, which remains an integral component of managing conditions like SAR and COVID-19.
The effectiveness and accuracy of the method were rigorously tested under various conditions, ensuring the stability of the analytes during preparation and storage. Stability assessments confirmed the concentration levels of the drugs could be reliably maintained for up to four hours post-administration—a key factor considering the fluctuations often seen with standard therapeutic monitoring methods.
The clinical relevance of this study cannot be understated. Seasonal allergic rhinitis impacts millions globally, leading to significant discomfort and diminished quality of life. By providing healthcare professionals with an efficient tool for monitoring drug levels, the proposed RP-HPLC method can assist in tailoring individual treatment plans more precisely.
After applying the developed method to real samples from participants who received the azelast plus nasal spray—a combination of AZT and FP—and oxymet drops, the findings indicated gender and age did not adversely affect the drug concentration measurements. This points to the method's adaptability to diverse patient demographics, marking it as beneficial for widespread clinical application.
The study concluded with optimism, as the validated method aids not only the current treatment regimes but also the potential future assessment of therapeutic efficacy. Overall, this innovative approach to drug measurement not only underlines the importance of effective treatment options for SAR and COVID-19 but also highlights the advancements within the analytical pharmacology sphere.
Moving forward, the researchers advocate for the increased use of this method across clinical settings, particularly since affordable HPLC instruments could become standard tools available even in resource-constrained settings. This could democratize access to efficient medication monitoring worldwide.