Screening procedure for stimulant laxatives in urine using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Forensic Toxicology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Stimulant laxatives are widely used, but their surreptitious abuse can lead to health complications.
• Accurate and rapid detection methods are crucial for identifying individuals misusing these substances.
• Existing detection methods may lack the sensitivity or specificity required for routine screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a liquid chromatographic screening procedure for detecting stimulant laxatives in human urine.
• To assess the reliability and efficiency of the developed method in identifying common stimulant laxatives.
• To provide a tool for the early detection of surreptitious stimulant laxative abuse.

Main Methods:

• Urine samples were incubated with beta-glucuronidase, followed by acidification and extraction with an isopropanol-chloroform mixture.
• The organic layer underwent further cleanup, evaporation, and reconstitution in the mobile phase for liquid chromatography.
• Separation was performed on a Hewlett-Packard Hypersil ODS column, with detection by ultraviolet absorbance at 225 nm.

Main Results:

• The method successfully detected multiple stimulant laxatives including Rhein, bisacodyl, bisoxatin, phenolphthalein, and danthron within a 6-minute elution time.
• In a clinical evaluation, the screening procedure correctly identified 90% of ingested laxatives in patient urine samples.
• Identity verification was confirmed through post-run ultraviolet spectral analysis.

Conclusions:

• The developed liquid chromatographic screening procedure is a reliable and effective method for detecting stimulant laxatives in urine.
• This method can significantly aid in the early identification of individuals engaging in surreptitious stimulant laxative abuse.
• The procedure's efficiency and accuracy make it suitable for routine toxicological screening.