Nifuroxazide, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid [(5-nitro-2-(furanyl)methylene]hydrazide (I) is used for the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and colitis. Analytical methods used for the determination of nifuroxazide include titrimetric 1 , complexometric 2 , ultraviolet spectrophotometric 3 , and HPLC. 3 At present, only a few studies dealing with nifuroxazide polarographic behavior have been reported and the authors seems to have encountered only two waves. [4][5][6] In this work, the polarographic behavior of nifuroxazide and its analytical utility have been investigated.
Experimental
ReagentsStock solutions (1´10 -3 M ) of nifuroxazide were prepared daily in DMSO and stored at 4˚C in the dark. Britton-Robinson buffers were used as supporting electrolytes. All reagents were of AnalaR-reagent grade in doubly distilled water.
ApparatusThe differential pulse polarograms have been recorded using a polarographic analyzer (PAR Model 264A) coupled with a PAR 303A static mercury drop electrode. All the potentials are referred to Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl reference electrode and a platinum wire is used as counter electrode.A SCHOTT GerÄte pH-meter with glass combination electrode was used for pH determination.
ProcedureThe supporting electrolyte solution (9.5 ml) with an aliquot of nifuroxazide in DNSO, diluted to 10 ml with DMSO, was added to the cell. The cell was degassed by purging with purified nitrogen for 8 min. The voltammetric curves were recorded in the cathodic direction.
Capsule analysisTo eliminate the inconstancy of weight, the contents of 20 Antinal capsules of several packages were carefully weighed and then mixed. An average weight of one capsule was dissolved in ethanol, filtered and washed with ethanol. The residue was evaporated till dryness and dissolved in 10 ml DMSO and 0.5 ml of the solution was then transferred to the polarographic cell containing 0.5 ml DMSO and 9 ml BritonRobinson buffer (pH 4.0). The concentration was calculated using a calibration graph or regression equation. Keywords Nifuroxazide, differential pulse polarography † To whom correspondence should be addressed.