In vitro metabolism studies on oxamniquine and related compounds by chiral liquid chromatography

A previously developed method based on alpha 1-acid glycoprotein for the resolution of the enantiomers of the Pfizer antischistosomal drug oxamniquine was used to examine possible enantioselectivity in the in vitro microsomal hydroxylation of a metabolic precursor, UK-3883, but was found to be limited by the poor operational stability of the analytical column ("EnantioPac") employed. As an alternative approach, a "Pirkle" covalently-bonded dinitrobenzoyl leucine column was used, with simple precolumn solute derivatization to the carbamate to improve chromatographic performance. The method allowed preliminary examination of the stereochemistry of the in vitro biotransformation, hydroxylation of UK-3883 to oxaminquine, which yielded evidence for substrate enantioselectivity in favour of the dextrorotatory enantiomer of UK-3883.