Selective Sensing Platform Utilizing Graphitized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Monitoring of Ondansetron and Paracetamol

Abstract

Background: Ondansetron and paracetamol are often co-administrated to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting caused by anaesthesia and to control postoperative pain. In addition, ondansetron is used as the first-line antiemetic in paracetamol overdose. Therefore, a selective and sensitive method for their simultaneous analysis is of great importance. The electroanalytical methods are highly sensitive and offer many possibilities for new sensor platform design. However, at present, no electroanalytical method for simultaneous determination of these drugs has been proposed. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a novel nanosensor for selective monitoring of ondansetron and paracetamol in pharmaceutical and biological samples without expensive and timeconsuming pretreatments. Methods: The graphitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in a cation exchange polymer matrix were selected, among various surface functionalizations evaluated, to design a novel sensor. Based on its excellent sensing performance, the first electroanalytical method was developed for the rapid concurrent determination of investigated drugs. Results: The scanning electron microscopy study showed an interlinked nanoporous network structure and a highly enlarged active surface. The developed sensor facilitated electron transfer in the oxidation of both drugs and tremendously enhanced the adsorption capacity for ondansetron, thus exhibiting a significant increase in drug responses and sensitivity. To obtain much sensitive response of investigated drugs, the effect of pH values of supporting electrolyte, dispersed nanomaterial amount, the cation exchange polymer concentration, drop-casting volume of nanocomposite suspension, accumulation potential and deposition time on the peak current was evaluated. The developed electroanalytical method was validated and the practical utility of the proposed nanosensor was tested. Conclusion: The developed sensor is a promising sensing platform with a fast response time for analysis of ondansetron and paracetamol at very different concentration levels found in their fixeddose combination and human serum sample after recommended daily doses showing its potential usage in pharmaceutical quality control and clinical research.