Simultaneous HPTLC Analysis of Aspirin, Atorvastatin Calcium and Clopidogrel Bisulphate in the Bulk Drug and in Capsules

A simple, precise, and accurate HPTLC method has been established for simultaneous quantification of aspirin, atorvastatin calcium and clopidogrel bisulphate in the bulk drug and in a capsule dosage form. Chromatographic separation of the drugs was performed on aluminium foil plates precoated with silica gel 60 F-254, with toluene methanol-formic acid 6.5:3.5:0.1 (v/v) as mobile phase. Densitometric evaluation of the separated zones was performed at 254 nm. The three drugs were satisfactorily resolved with R-F +/- SD values 0.26 +/- 0.01, 0.47 +/- 0.01, and 0.78 +/- 0.01 for aspirin, atorvastatin calcium, and clopidogrel bisulphate, respectively. The method was validated for linearity, specificity, accuracy, precision, and robustness, in accordance with ICH guidelines. Results from recovery studies indicated acceptable recovery of the drugs from the capsule dosage form. The intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations were in the ranges 0.17-0.73% and 0.46-1.03% for aspirin, 0.36-0.87% and 0.44-0.62% for atorvastatin calcium, and 0.25-0.69% and 0.35-0.94% for clopidogrel bisulphate. The method proved to be a rapid and cost-effective quality-control tool for routine simultaneous analysis of aspirin, atorvastatin calcium, and clopidogrel bisulphate in the bulk drug and in a capsule formulation.