Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating HPTLC Assay Method for Idebenone

A simple, selective, precise, and stability-indicating high-performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been established and validated for the analysis of idebenone in bulk drug and formulations. The compounds were analyzed on aluminum-backed silica gel 60 F-254 plates with petroleum ether-methanol (4:1, v/v) as mobile phase. Densitometric analysis of idebenone was performed at 282 nm. Regression analysis data for the calibration plots were indicative of good linear relationship between response and concentration over the range of 200-600 ng per spot. The correlation coefficient (r(2)) was 0.989 +/- 0.002. The values of slope and intercept of the calibration plots were 2.386 +/- 0.0435 and 577.733 +/- 19.545, respectively. The method was validated for precision, accuracy, robustness, and ruggedness. The limits of detection and quantification were 14.642 and 44.369 ng, respectively. Idebenone was subjected to acid, base, peroxide, and sunlight degradation. In stability tests, the drug was susceptible to acid and basic hydrolysis, oxidation, and photodegradation.