A validated stability-indicating HPLC method for the determination of PEGylated puerarin in aqueous solutions

The aim of this study was to develop a validated specific stability-indicating HPLC method for the quantitative determination of PEGylated puerarin (PEG-PUE) in aqueous solutions. The method was validated by subjecting PEG-PUE to forced degradation under stress conditions of acid, alkali, water hydrolysis, and oxidation. Both PEG-PUE and puerarin (PUE) were simultaneously determined and separated on CAPCELL PAK C18 column by gradient elution with 0.2% aqueous phosphoric acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL min−1 and detection wavelength was set at 250 nm. Both calibration curves showed good linear regression (r ≥ 0.9998) within test ranges. The LOD and LOQ of PEG-PUE were determined to be 3 and 9 μg mL−1 respectively. Degradation of PEG-PUE followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with t1/2 of 59 min at pH 9.0 and 17.79 h at pH 7.4. However, at pH 5.0 and 2.0, there was no significant degradation of PEG-PUE over time. In conclusion, the method was observed to have the necessary specificity, precision, and accuracy, and to be suitable for quantity monitoring the degradation process of PEG-PUE during stability studies. The degradation studies may give insight into useful information for formulation development of PEG-PUE.