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A Polymer-Based Indicator for Detecting Dexamethasone in Herbal Medicine Using Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
Rimadani Pratiwi1, Vandie Charlie1, Nyi Mekar Saptarini1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjran, Bandung 45363, Indonesia.
Polymers
|July 14, 2023
Summary
A new polymer-based indicator can quickly detect the banned drug dexamethasone in herbal medicines. This simple test offers a reliable alternative to complex lab analysis for ensuring herbal product safety.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Polymer Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dexamethasone is often illicitly added to herbal medicines for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relief properties.
- Uncontrolled consumption of dexamethasone in herbal products can lead to severe adverse side effects.
- Current methods for detecting dexamethasone in herbal samples are often complex and time-consuming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, fast, and cost-effective polymer-based indicator for detecting dexamethasone in herbal medicine.
- To assess the selectivity, sensitivity, and stability of the developed indicator strips.
- To validate the indicator strips' performance using real-world herbal samples.
Main Methods:
- Indicator strips were fabricated by blending polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) polymer with sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
- The method involved a colorimetric reaction where H2SO4 reacts with dexamethasone to produce a distinct pink-purple color.
- The developed indicator strips were tested against various herbal samples, and results were compared with Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Main Results:
- The polymer-based indicator strips selectively detected dexamethasone, producing a visible color change.
- The detection limit for dexamethasone was found to be as low as 13.13 ppm.
- The indicator strips demonstrated good stability for up to 36 days and accurately identified dexamethasone in 5 out of 9 tested herbal samples, consistent with TLC and HPLC results.
Conclusions:
- The developed polymer-based indicator strips offer a simple, rapid, and applicable method for on-site detection of dexamethasone in herbal medicines.
- This novel indicator provides a valuable tool for quality control and regulatory agencies to ensure the safety of herbal products.
- The findings highlight the potential of polymer-based indicators for the on-site screening of adulterated traditional medicines.
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