JSTJournal of Sensor Technology2161-122XScientific Research Publishing10.4236/jst.2016.61001JST-65266ArticlesComputer Science&Communications Diphenhydramine Compact-Cell Sensor ohsenM. Zareh1MohammedI. ALahmdi1AliA. Keshk1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tabuk University, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia3103201606011106 January 2016accepted 28 March 31 March 2016© Copyright 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. 2014This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The construction and performance characteristics of a novel (diphenhydramine) DPH CC-sensor based on DZCE were reported in this work. The CC-membrane was prepared by incorporating of (diazacrown ether) DZCE and/or (tetraflorophenyl borate) TFPB into a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membrane. The CC-sensor revealed a Nernstian behavior over a DPH-concentration range (9.1 × 10 -3 - 6.3 × 10 -7 mol ·L -1), and relatively low detection limit (1 × 10 -7 mol ·L -1). The potentiometric response was independent on the pH of the solution in the range of 7 - 10. The DPH-CC showed a very short response time (<5 s). It showed good selectivity towards different cations and pharmaceutical compounds. The relative selectivity coefficient was applied for evaluation of the selectivity properties of the DPH-CC. The DPH-CC was used successfully for determination of DPH in its samples. The found recovery range was 95% - 98.5%, and the standard deviation value ranged between 0.13 - 0.42. The DPH-CC facilitates the analysis of DPH directly without pretreatment and it can be built-in as a detector in chromatographic apparatus. It can be used as a tool for on-line monitoring of the drug levels.

Compact Cell Diphenhydramine Determination Drug Sensor1. Introduction

Diphenhydramine (C17H21NO) is 2-(diphenylmethoxy)-N,N-dimethylethanamine. It has an antihistamine possessing anticholinergic, antitussive, antiemetic, and sedative properties that is mainly used to treat allergies. It is also used in the management of drug-induced Parkinsonism and other extrapyramidal symptoms. The drug has a strong hypnotic effect and is FDA-approved as a nonprescription sleep aid, especially in the form of diphenhydramine citrate. The drug was first synthesized by George Rieveschl and first made publicly available through prescription in 1946 [1] .

Several methods were used for analysis of diphenhydramine. Eman et al. [2] applied a potentiometric determination of antihistaminic diphenhydramine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids using screen-printed electrode. It had a linear range 10−2 - 10−6 M and slope of 55.2 and 54.7 mV/decade. The detection limit was 9.8 × 10−7 M in pH range 3 - 8. Dönmez et al. [3] applied HPLC-method for analysis of DPH in presence of potassium guaiacolsulfonate, guaifenesin and carbetapentane citrate. Wang et al. [4] developed and validated a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis of DPH, and d-amphetamine. They used mobile phase of methanol-water-formic acid at rate of 0.2 ml/min. Ali et al. [5] applied a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatographic (HILIC) procedure for the simultaneous determination of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSH), diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) and dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXH) in cough-cold formulations. The method showed a linear range for DPH 62.5 - 250 µg/ml and recovery 100.1%. Dong et al. [6] applied a non-aqueous capillary zone-electrophoresis for separation and determination of pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine (DPH) and chlorpheniramine. The used buffer was composed of ammonium acetate, acetonitrile in methanol. Gomez et al. [7] used a capillary zone-electrophoresis method for the determination of codeine, diphenhydramine, ephedrine and noscapine. They used tetraborate buffer at pH 8.5. UV detection was at 205 and 250 nm for a range of 0.42 - 1.33 µg/ml. Barbas et al. [8] used isocratic high- performance liquid chromatography for determination of caffeine, 8-chlorotheophylline and diphenhydramine (DPH) with UV detection at 229 nm. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and buffer (phosphate: trimethylamine) pH 2.8. Okamoto et al. [9] separated and determined DPH and other ingredients by hydrophobic interaction electrokinetic chromatography. The separation solution was composed of tetradecyl ammonium salt and ammonium chloride. Recovery range was 98% - 100%. Shoukry et al. [10] introduced a PVC membrane electrode for determination of diphenhydramine. The membrane was based on tetraphenyl borate as charged ionophore.

In this work, original compact cell for diphenhydramine “DPH-CC” was applied successfully for determination of the drug. There was no need to use separate reference and sensor electrode for analysis like old electrode methods [9] [10] . No need for large amounts of solvents like in chromatographic methods [8] [10] . Only one set sensor was used for analysis. The fabrication of the cell was based on previous explained procedures by Zareh [11] . It is composed of two compartments, one for the reference and the other was for DPH-sensor part. Many benefits of using such cell were found especially for built-in devices. It facilitates the direct analysis of the drug. The DPH-CC can be easily used as a detector for the drug analysis.

2. Experimental2.1. Reagents and Material

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (C17H21NOHCl) 291.855 g/mol was purchased from (Sigma). Diaza-18-crown- 6 ether (DZCE) (previously prepared) [11] and tetra-kis-(trifloromethyl-phenyl) borate potassium salt (TFPB-K) (Aldrich) were the main ionophores for preparing the membranes. Figure 1 shows the structrure formule of these compounds. The plasticizers were either dodecyl phthalate (DDP) (Fluka) or nitrophenyloctyl ether (NOPE) (Fluka). Polyvinylchloride (PVC) (Fluka) was the membrane matrix. The membrane components were dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) (Fluka). A 0.1 M standard stock solution of DPH (Sigma-Aldrich) was prepared. Less concentrated solutions were obtained by careful dilution of the standard stock solution. Several pharmaceutical formulations were purchased from local market for analysis of real samples using the proposed DPH- Compact Cell. These formulations were Exylin Pediatric Syrup, (Spimaco, Saudi Arabia); Amydramine Expectorant Syrup Sugar Free, (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, Julphar, United Arab Emirates); Koffex Syrup for Adult, (Xellia Pharmaceutical Aps, Denmark); Ezipect Syrup, (Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co, Saudi Arabia). Double distilled water was used throughout.

2.2. Equipment

The potentiometric/pH-measurements were carried out at 25˚C ± 1˚C on a digital research pH-meter (model 5986) Cole-Parmar (sensitivity ± 0.1 mV) coupled with a channel selector of the same make. pH-meter (Jenway, UK), hotplate & stirrer (LabTech Co. Ltd, Indonesia).

Structure formula of: (a) diphenhydramine (DPH), (b) N,N-bis-ethoxycarbonyl-1, 10-diaza-4,7,13,16-tetraoxacyclo-octadecane (DZCE), (c) potassium tetra kis-(trifloromethyl- phenyl) borate (TFPB).2.3. Compact Cell Preparation

The measurement was carried using a compact-cell [12] , which was assembled using Teflon rod (length = 10 cm, diameter = 12 mm). It is composed of two separate compartments. The first compartment contains DPH ISE, while the second compartment contains the reference Ag/AgCl electrode. The PVC-membrane was fixed to the end of the first compartment. The side end of the second compartment was fitted with a porous membrane. Figure 2 shows the composition of the DPH-compact cell.

Three membrane compositions (I-III) were tried 1% w/w ionophore (either DZCE or TFPB); 33% w/w PVC and 66% w/w solvent mediators (NOPE) or (DDP). Table 1 shows the three compositions. These components were dissolved in THF and poured into glass rings of 4 cm i.d. resting on a glass plate. The mixture was left overnight for evaporation, and then the resulting membrane was cut into discs of 7 mm i.d. The obtained discs were fixed to the end of ISE-compartment of a CC made from Teflon. The electrode-compartment was filled with an aqueous inner filling cell electrolyte (0.01 M DPH + 0.01 M KCl) (IF). After adjustments of Compact- Cell “CC”, it was soaked for 24 h into 1 × 10−2 M solution of DPH.

2.4. Potentiometric Measurements

Fifty milliliter aliquots of DPH solution (10−7 - 10− 2 M ) were transferred to 100 mL beakers. The DPH -compact cell was dipped into the solution. The cell potential was recorded corresponding to each DPH concentration. A calibration graph was constructed for the cell potential versus log( DPH ). The following cell assembly was applied:

Ag-AgCl/Inner filling soln./membrane//sample solution//reference inner filling soln./Ag-AgCl

The pH-measurements were carried out by immersing the proposed DPH-CC plus glass electrode into 50 ml DPH-solutions of concentrations 10−2 - 10−4 M DPH. The potential values of the proposed cell were recorded

against pH values. The potentiometric selectivity coefficient values for different common cations were determined by the separate solution method [13] (10−3 M solutions for both DPH and interferent).

Composition of DPH- compact cell Membrane composition of DPH-CC types I, II and III
Composition, w/w %PVC, mgDZCE, mgTFPB, mgDDP, mgNPOE, mg
I-membrane33.801.2060
II-membrane31.521.6670
III-membrane30.51.150670
2.6. Determination of DPH in Its Samples Using DPH-CC

Different DPH-containing samples were prepared. Either the direct potentiometry or the standard addition method was used for analyzing these samples by using the proposed DPH-CC. In direct potentiometric method, 50 ml aliquots of the chosen samples: Exylin Pediatris (syrup), Amydramine Expectorant (syrup), Koffex (sytrup) or Ezipect (syrup), were transferred to the potentiometric cell. Then, the DPH-CC was immersed into the syrup. The potential values were recorded and compared to a previously prepared calibration graph.

For the standard addition method, 50 ml aliquouts were transferred to the potentiometric cell. Then, 5 ml of each drug sample was added. Finally, the potential values were recoded and compared to the previously prepared calibration graphs. The concentration of each sample was calculated after deduction of the standard concentration.

3. Results and Discussion3.1. Effect of Membrane Composition on CC-Performance

Three DPH -CC compositions were tried. The first type was based on TFPB as a charged ionophore (type-I). Other types (II and III) were based on neutral ionphore DZCE (2 and 1.15 mg) in presence of TFPB (2 mg). The slope of the calibration graphs for the three types of cells was (56.86 mV/decade), which is close to Nernstian value (59.8 mV/decade). The linear range of the three types of DPH-CC was (9.1 × 10−3 - 6.3 × 10−7 M). The detection limit for all types was 10−7 M. Figure 3 shows the obtained results after one days soaking of DPH -CC in 10−2 M DPH solution.

The mechanistic equation that represents the exchange reaction at the membrane-solution interface for DPH- CC type-I (contains only DZCE) is written as below:

Calibration graphs of DPH -CC of different compositions contains I) TFPB, II) TFPB + DZCE, III) TFPB + DZCE.

In case of DPH-CC types-II and III (contains DZCE/K-TFPB), the following equilibrium is expected:

The dynamic response of the three cells was tested by measuring the potential value against time. The measurements were carried for different concentrations in the range of 10−2 to 10−7 M. Figure 4, shows the obtained results. From the figure, the response time of the DPH-CC was less than 5 seconds. This means that the cell shows fast response for the drug measurement.

3.2. pH-Effect

The potential changes versus different pH-values for the three kinds of the membranes were studied. It was tested for 9.1 × 10−3 - 7 × 10−5 M DPH solutions for the three types (I,II,III) of DPH-CC. The measurement aimed to find the optimum working pH-range for each type. The optimum pH-range is defined as the pH-range where the potential value of the cell does not change whatever the pH is changed. Wide pH range was found for three types. The pH range was 3.57 - 8.4. The break in acidic part was due to the interference from H+. After pH 8.4 the sudden change in potential was due to the formation of free base of DPH. Figure 5 showed the changes in pH-potential changes for different concentrations when DPH-CC was used. It was found that the optimum pH-range showed little changes for 9.1 × 10−3 than for lower concentrations 7 × 10−4 and 7 × 10−5 M DPH. It was 3.17 - 7.85 for 9.1 × 10−3, while it was 3.6 - 8.72, 3.6 - 8.4 for lower concentrations 7 × 10−4 and 7 × 10−5 M DPH. This little change is attributed to the interaction with the hydroxide ion forming the free DPH-base. The three DPH-CC types I, II and III showed similar potential-pH plateau when 7 × 10−5 M DPH solution was tested (Figure 6).

3.3. Selectivity Properties

The selectivity coefficient () was determined for evaluating selectivity properties of the three types of DPH-electrodes I, II, III. The values were calculated by the SSM according to IUPAC [13] :

Dynamic response of the three types of DPH-compact cell pH-effect on the potential of DPH- CC with membranes type-II when measuring different concentrations of DPH a) 9.1 × 10<sup>−3</sup> M, b) 7.0 × 10<sup>−4</sup> M, and c) 7.0 × 10<sup>−5</sup> M solution pH-effect on the potential of DPH- CC with membranes types-I, II, and III for DPH 7 × 10<sup>−5</sup> M solution

It can be recorded that the―values for the tested common inorganic cations was of the order of 10−5 for the three electrode types. These values reveals a perfect selectivity of the three DPH-CC types towards the common cations (namely K+, Na+, Li+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Ba2+). Here, it can be recommended that any of

the studied electrodes are ready for the DPH-measurement in presence of these cations. The― values

towards the tested pharmaceutical compounds showed higher―for type-I rather than types-II

and III. It was found that the―values for type-I electrode were of the order of 10−2, while for types II

and III, they are of order of 10−3. This shows better selectivity for DPH-CC types II and III with respect to the

tested pharmaceutical compounds than for type-I. Only quinine showed the highest value of the―

values, which reflects the lower selectivity towards this compound. Table 2 shows the obtained― values for the electrode types.

The relative selectivity coefficient Krel was defined by Zareh [14] as a new parameter for evaluating the selectivity of the tested electrodes. The Krel (x=I,II,III) for the three electrode types for each tested interferent were calculated. Then, the Kav (x=I,II,III) for each type were calculated according to equations:

where (n) is the number of interferents under study.

Selectivity coefficient values for DPH Compact Cell based on I) TFPB/NPOE, II) TFPB+DZCE/DDP, III) TFPB/ DDP membranes, when measuring 0.01 M DPH/interferent solution
Interferent
IIIIII
Glycine6.8 × 10−31.5 × 10−32.2 × 10−3
Arginin5.8 × 10−31.0 × 10−31.9 × 10−3
Sodium glutmate1.4 × 10−25.2 × 10−36.3 × 10−3
Ephedrine1.4 × 10−25.2 × 10−36.3 × 10−3
Pilocarpine2.4 × 10−22.9 × 10−33.5 × 10−3
Atropine2.6 × 10−21.0 × 10−21.2 × 10−2
Quinine2.8 × 10−12.2 × 10−12.3 × 10−1
Caffeine2.0 × 10−34.3 × 10−45.9 × 10−4
KCL1.37 × 10−41.68 × 10−41.62 × 10−4
NaNO34.99 × 10−56.23 × 10−56.33 × 10−5
LiNO33.23× 10−54.21 × 10−54.67 × 10−5
CaCl22.96 × 10−53.7 × 10−52.51 × 10−5
Mg(NO3)22.02 × 10−52.66 × 10−52.15 × 10−5
NH4NO33.13 × 10−54.64 × 10−54.65 × 10−5
Ba(NO3)21.83 × 10−52.15 × 10−51.59 × 10−5

Finally, the Ktot(x=I, II, and III) was calculated for overall evaluation.

where X, is the electrode under study; (1, 2, 3, 4, ×××, m), refers to the number of electrodes to be compared with.

It can be predicted that the smaller the K-value, the better the selectivity properties of an electrode. The Ktot (x=II) (0.86) is the least among the three tested electrodes. This indicates that the electrode type-II was the best among the tested electrode types. Table 3 showed the calculated values of Krel, Kav, and Ktot for the three DPH-CC types.

3.4. Analysis of Diphenhydramine Samples by Using DPH-CC

By using DPH-CC the DPH assessment becomes easier without sample pretreatment. Since DPH-CC based on membrane type-II exhibited the best electrode performance, so it was applied for an actual analysis of DPH samples. Diphenhydramine formulations Exylin (7 mg/ml), Amydramine Expectorant (15 mg/ml), Koffex Syrup (10 mg/ml), and Ezipect Syrup (2.5 mg/ml) were assayed using the mentioned DPH-CC. The procedure was applied using both the direct potentiometric and the known addition techniques. The obtained results (Table 4), showed that the found percentage values were 98.5% - 97.8% for direct potentiometry, and 95% - 98.5% for known addition method. The Standard deviation (STD) values were 0.13 - 0.25 for the direct potentiometry and 0.22 - 0.42 for the known addition method (4-determinations).

4. Conclusions

Ø It can be concluded that diphenhydramine can be determined by using new generation of sensors based on using Compact Cell (CC).

RelativeSelectivity coefficient values (K<sub>rel</sub>) for DPH-Compact Cell based on I) TFPB/NPOE, II) TFPB+DZCE/DDP, III) TFPB/DDP membranes, when measuring 0.01 M DPH/interferent solution
InterferentKrel-IKrel-IIKrel-III
K-(I-II)K-(I-III)K-(II-I)K-(II-III)K-(III-I)K-(III-II)
Glycine0.810.841.231.041.190.96
Arginin0.800.791.250.981.271.02
Sodium glutmate0.770.691.300.901.451.11
Ephedrine0.801.181.251.470.850.68
Pilocarpine0.760.941.321.241.060.81
Atropine0.680.671.481.001.491.00
Quinine0.851.151.181.350.870.74
Caffeine4.353.090.230.710.321.41
KCL5.823.070.170.530.331.90
NaNO32.742.270.360.830.441.21
LiNO32.742.270.360.830.441.21
CaCl28.496.990.120.820.141.21
Mg(NO3)22.502.140.400.860.471.17
NH4NO31.291.210.770.940.831.07
Ba(NO3)24.743.430.210.720.291.38
K(av-x)*2.542.050.780.950.761.13
K(tot-x)*2.300.860.94
 Application of DPH-CC for determination of DPH in different samples
No.Diphenhydramine sampleTaken amount, mg/mlDirect potentiometryKnown addition method
Percentage found, %STD*Percentage found, %STD*
1Exylin Pediatric Syrup (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Menthol), Spimaco Saudi Arabia798.20.1795.710.29
2Amydramine Expectorant Syrup Sugar Free, (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Ammonium, Sodium Citrate, Menthol), Gulf Pharm. Ind. (Julphar, United Arab Emirates1598.50.2598.50.22
3Koffex Syrup For Adult, (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Ammonium, Sodium Citrate) Xellia Pharm. Aps, Denmark1097.80.25980.42
4Ezipect Syrup, (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride), Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co., Saudi Arabia2.5980.13950.17

*Standard deviation (4-determinations).

*Corresponding author.

Ø This type of cells can be elaborated for use to determine other drugs.

Ø The benefits of using such cell can be expanded as built-in detector for HPLC-devices.

Ø The proposed cell is perfect for the on-line monitoring of drug levels.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge financial support for this work, from the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, under grant no. S-080-1436.

Cite this paper

Mohsen M. Zareh,1 1,Mohammed I. ALahmdi,Ali A. Keshk, (2016) Diphenhydramine Compact-Cell Sensor. Journal of Sensor Technology,06,1-10. doi: 10.4236/jst.2016.61001

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