A Box-Behnken response surface methodology for optimizing fluorescent detection of cenobamate using graphene quantum dots: Environmental impact assessment and pharmacokinetic applications

• Published in: Microchemical journal 2024-10, Vol.205, p.111381, Article 111381
• Main Authors: Almalki, Atiah H., Abduljabbar, Maram H., Alnemari, Reem M., Alosaimi, Manal E., Alaqel, Saleh I., Serag, Ahmed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AGREE; Box-Behnken design; Cenobamate; GQDs; Spectrofluorimetry
• ISSN: 0026-265X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2024.111381

[Display omitted] •Green spectrofluorometric method using GQDs for precise cenobamate analysis.•Enhanced sensitivity and eco-friendly cenobamate detection.•Optimized assay for maximized fluorescence quenching and accurate drug analysis.•Validated high-throughput method for pharmaceuticals and pharmacokinetic studies. Here, a novel spectrofluorimetric method based on functionalized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) is proposed for the quantitative determination of cenobamate, a new antiepileptic drug. The method combines the unique optical properties of GQDs, such as excellent fluorescence emission and photostability, with functionalization to enhance the selectivity and sensitivity of the probe towards cenobamate. Box-Behnken design was employed as response surface methodology to optimize the experimental conditions, including pH, concentration of GQDs and incubation time. In addition, the method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness. The method displayed excellent linearity in the concentration range 0.25–2 μg mL−1 (R2 = 0.9998) with a detection limit of 0.0297 μg mL−1. The method also demonstrated high accuracy with mean recovery values of 99.48 ± 0.752 % and satisfactory precision with relative standard deviation values below 2 %. Moreover, the method was successfully validated for the determination of cenobamate in spiked human serum samples, with good recovery values ranging from ranging from 91.65 to 107.48 % and CV% below 5 %. Asides, the developed method shows excellent greenness evaluation, as it eliminates the need for hazardous reagents with simple instrumentation and low waste generation with AGREE score of 0.78. The proposed method has great potential both analytically and clinically, as it was successfully applied for the determination of cenobamate in pharmaceutical formulations and pharmacokinetic studies. This method provides powerful insights into the application of GQDs within the field of pharmaceutical analysis. While the method offers several advantages, including high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and environmental friendliness, it requires careful control of experimental conditions to achieve optimal performance.