The degradation of the drug L-α-methyldopa (MD) in alkaline solutions was studied by Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography. It was found that the presence of borate ion in the solution inhibited the formation of MD-melanin, the final product of degradation. It complexes with both MD and intermediates of the pathway, maintaining them longer in the medium. Through the use of a synthetic standard of a half-way intermediate of the oxidation pathway, 5,6-dihydroxy-2-methylindole (Me-DHI), and examination of the UV/vis spectra of the chromatographic peaks, it was possible to demonstrate the stabilization of a later stage degradation intermediate in the presence of borate ion.
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