On the Stability of Steroids upon Gamma and E-Beam Irradiation and the Protective Effect of Inert Conditions

The sterility of ophthalmic drugs is a fundamental requirement for ensuring patient safety, and as such, it is subject to stringent regulatory standards. However, significant gaps remain regarding the effect of sterilization techniques on the impurity profile and relative content of active pharmaceu...

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Main Authors: Quinten Speleers, Anke Meyers, Homaira Rashid, Yannick Dubbelboer, Elias Vanneste, Bart Croonenborghs, Annick Gillet, Aaron DeMent, Ann Van Schepdael, Erik Haghedooren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2605
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author Quinten Speleers
Anke Meyers
Homaira Rashid
Yannick Dubbelboer
Elias Vanneste
Bart Croonenborghs
Annick Gillet
Aaron DeMent
Ann Van Schepdael
Erik Haghedooren
author_facet Quinten Speleers
Anke Meyers
Homaira Rashid
Yannick Dubbelboer
Elias Vanneste
Bart Croonenborghs
Annick Gillet
Aaron DeMent
Ann Van Schepdael
Erik Haghedooren
author_sort Quinten Speleers
collection DOAJ
description The sterility of ophthalmic drugs is a fundamental requirement for ensuring patient safety, and as such, it is subject to stringent regulatory standards. However, significant gaps remain regarding the effect of sterilization techniques on the impurity profile and relative content of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Previous research involving a set of five APIs used in ophthalmic preparations (dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, aciclovir, tetracycline hydrochloride, and triamcinolone) demonstrated that gamma irradiation led to the formation of specific impurities in the corticosteroids, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone. This study aims to further explore the effect of both gamma and electron beam (E-beam) irradiation on the impurity profiles of these APIs under varying conditions, with and without dry ice. The analyses were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet/visible light (UV/VIS) detection and the effect of sterilization conditions was assessed in accordance with the assay and related substances test outlined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.). Additionally, this study investigated whether exposure in a controlled atmosphere with reduced oxygen or water content could mitigate the formation of impurities and influence the stability of the compounds. The results indicated a protective effect of low-temperature and low-oxygen environments during both gamma and E-beam irradiation but no effect of dry conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-0ab5fcffd8fa484abb8ea90fcb0b22972025-08-20T03:27:38ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013012260510.3390/molecules30122605On the Stability of Steroids upon Gamma and E-Beam Irradiation and the Protective Effect of Inert ConditionsQuinten Speleers0Anke Meyers1Homaira Rashid2Yannick Dubbelboer3Elias Vanneste4Bart Croonenborghs5Annick Gillet6Aaron DeMent7Ann Van Schepdael8Erik Haghedooren9Pharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N2, PB 923, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumPharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N2, PB 923, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumPharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N2, PB 923, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumPharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N2, PB 923, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumPharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N2, PB 923, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSterigenics NV, a Sotera Health Division, 2015 Spring Road 650, Oak Brook, IL 60523, USASterigenics NV, a Sotera Health Division, 2015 Spring Road 650, Oak Brook, IL 60523, USASterigenics NV, a Sotera Health Division, 2015 Spring Road 650, Oak Brook, IL 60523, USAPharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N2, PB 923, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSterigenics NV, a Sotera Health Division, 2015 Spring Road 650, Oak Brook, IL 60523, USAThe sterility of ophthalmic drugs is a fundamental requirement for ensuring patient safety, and as such, it is subject to stringent regulatory standards. However, significant gaps remain regarding the effect of sterilization techniques on the impurity profile and relative content of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Previous research involving a set of five APIs used in ophthalmic preparations (dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, aciclovir, tetracycline hydrochloride, and triamcinolone) demonstrated that gamma irradiation led to the formation of specific impurities in the corticosteroids, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone. This study aims to further explore the effect of both gamma and electron beam (E-beam) irradiation on the impurity profiles of these APIs under varying conditions, with and without dry ice. The analyses were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet/visible light (UV/VIS) detection and the effect of sterilization conditions was assessed in accordance with the assay and related substances test outlined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.). Additionally, this study investigated whether exposure in a controlled atmosphere with reduced oxygen or water content could mitigate the formation of impurities and influence the stability of the compounds. The results indicated a protective effect of low-temperature and low-oxygen environments during both gamma and E-beam irradiation but no effect of dry conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2605sterilizationirradiationstabilityophthalmicdexamethasonemethylprednisolone
spellingShingle Quinten Speleers
Anke Meyers
Homaira Rashid
Yannick Dubbelboer
Elias Vanneste
Bart Croonenborghs
Annick Gillet
Aaron DeMent
Ann Van Schepdael
Erik Haghedooren
On the Stability of Steroids upon Gamma and E-Beam Irradiation and the Protective Effect of Inert Conditions
Molecules
sterilization
irradiation
stability
ophthalmic
dexamethasone
methylprednisolone
title On the Stability of Steroids upon Gamma and E-Beam Irradiation and the Protective Effect of Inert Conditions
title_full On the Stability of Steroids upon Gamma and E-Beam Irradiation and the Protective Effect of Inert Conditions
title_fullStr On the Stability of Steroids upon Gamma and E-Beam Irradiation and the Protective Effect of Inert Conditions
title_full_unstemmed On the Stability of Steroids upon Gamma and E-Beam Irradiation and the Protective Effect of Inert Conditions
title_short On the Stability of Steroids upon Gamma and E-Beam Irradiation and the Protective Effect of Inert Conditions
title_sort on the stability of steroids upon gamma and e beam irradiation and the protective effect of inert conditions
topic sterilization
irradiation
stability
ophthalmic
dexamethasone
methylprednisolone
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2605
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