Analytical quality by design‐based thin‐layer chromatography method development and validation for assay and content uniformity testing of the anti‐neoplastic drug Axitinib in tablet formulation

The current study aims to develop and validate an analytical quality by design approach‐based high‐performance thin‐layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the analysis of Axitinib tablet samples. The chromatographic conditions in the TLC method were optimized using a three‐level full factorial design. The mobile phase composition and chamber saturation time served as the independent variables for optimization. The mobile phase used for TLC separation on pre‐coated aluminum plates with silica gel 60 F254 consisted of a mixture of ethyl acetate and isopropyl alcohol in a ratio of 9:1 (v/v). Axitinib was quantified at 330 nm using the densitometric method. Axitinib peak from tablet formulation was verified against the reference standard by comparing its single band at Rf 0.44 ± 0.02. Linearity was found to exist between 100 and 600 ng/band, with a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9978. The percentage recovery was obtained as 98.21%–99.05%. The system was validated by determining the parameters according to the guidelines of the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Conditions for Medical Products for Human Use. The proposed TLC method can be effectively applied to routine quality control of a pharmaceutical product.