Abstract
It is the first systematic review to compare the bioanalytical methods to quantify the highly protein bound antimalarial, lumefantrine. We searched MEDLINE, SCIENCE DIRECT, GOOGLE and hand-searched journals and PhD theses. The inclusion criteria were, use of validated bioanalytical for quantification of lumefantrine in preclinical studies, healthy human volunteers and malaria patients. Ten bioanalytical methods were eligible and gave information on all separation and quantification domains considered in the review. There are ten previously published methods for quantitative analysis of lumefantrine in biological matrices comprising seven methods using HPLC-UV and three tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) detection. Most of the HPLC methods incorporated complex extraction procedure and long run time. Bioanalyst(s) may choose the bioanalytical method out of reported ones depending upon the study objectives and rapidity, sensitivity and ease in sample preparation required.
Keywords: Antimalarials, Lumefantrine, Bioanalysis, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Mass spectrometry, Solid phase extraction, Liquid-liquid extraction, Electro-Spray Ionization, Desbutyl-Lumefantrine, Racemic Fluorine Derivative