An HPLC method for the determination of ethacridine lactate in human urine

An HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of ethacridine lactate in human urine. Solid-phase extraction cartridges were used to extract urine samples. Separation was carried out on a C(18) column maintained at 30 degrees C with methanol-0.05% sodium dodecylsulfonate (70:30, v/v, pH 3) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Detection was at UV 272 nm. The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 4-4000 ng/mL, with linear correlation coefficient r equal to 0.9998. The limit of detection for the assay was 1.1 ng/mL. The within-day accuracy ranged from 94.8 to 101.6% and precision from 2.3 to 5.4%. The between-day accuracy ranged from 96.8 to 102.6% and precision from 4.0 to 5.3%. The absolute recovery was 95.4-101.2%. Urine samples were stable for at least 15 days if stored in the dark at -20 degrees C. This simple and accurate method allows the sensitive determination of ethacridine lactate in human urine. It was successfully applied to assess the urine level of ethacridine lactate in women received intra-amniotic injection.