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Recent Developments in Chromatographic Applications in Medicine

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 May 2026 | Viewed by 3365

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 71 Athens, Greece
Interests: liquid chromatography; antioxidants; medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry; drug design; lipophilicity; biomimetic chromatography; quantitative retention property relationships; quantitative structure activity relationships

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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechniou 9, 157 80 Athens, Greece
Interests: liquid chromatography; separation methods/ sample pretreatment methods; chemometrics; pharmaceutical analysis; biomimetic chromatography; quantitative retention property relationships; electroanalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chromatographic techniques are incredibly versatile, enabling the analysis of a wide range of complex samples. These include gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and ion chromatography, among others. In recent years, the integration of chromatographic methods with modern detection systems has demonstrated remarkable capabilities for separation, identification, and quantification, which are essential for pharmaceutical analysis. These precise and sensitive analyses empower pharmaceutical scientists to assess purity, stability, and consistency during the stages of drug development and quality control. Furthermore, the development of biomimetic stationary phases has unfolded new perspectives in the simulation of biological processes in order to assess the pharmacokinetic and toxicological profile of candidate drugs and bioactive compounds.

This Special Issue, entitled "Recent Developments in Chromatographic Applications in Medicine", aims to present the latest advancements in the development and application of chromatographic techniques in medicinal chemistry. Topics include, but are not limited to, the screening, qualitative and quantitative analysis of active compounds, assessment of pharmacokinetic and toxicological profile of bioactive compounds, as well as the development of hyphenated methods. 

Prof. Dr. Anna Tsantili-Kakoulidou
Dr. Fotios Tsopelas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • chromatography
  • drug development
  • quality control
  • quantitative structure–retention relationships (QSRRs)
  • quantitative retention–property relationships (QRPRs)
  • chemometrics
  • adsorption–distribution–metabolism–excretion–toxicity (ADMET properties)

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1467 KB  
Article
Integrated Biomimetic 2D-LC and Permeapad® Assay for Profiling the Transdermal Diffusion of Pharmaceutical Compounds
by Ilaria Neri, Craig Stevens, Giacomo Russo and Lucia Grumetto
Molecules 2026, 31(2), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020379 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 309
Abstract
A comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography platform (LC × LC) was developed and validated for dermal permeability studies. In this implementation, the two separation dimensions were applied to mimic the layered structure of human skin: a ceramide-like stationary phase in the first dimension ( [...] Read more.
A comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography platform (LC × LC) was developed and validated for dermal permeability studies. In this implementation, the two separation dimensions were applied to mimic the layered structure of human skin: a ceramide-like stationary phase in the first dimension (1D) to simulate the lipid-rich epidermis, and an immobilized artificial membrane (IAM) phase in the second (2D) to emulate the dermis. Experimental conditions were optimised to reflect the microenvironment of the in vivo skin. For validation purposes, 43 pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds whose transdermal permeability coefficients (log Kp) were known from the scientific literature were selected as model solutes. A good degree of separation was achieved across the whole dataset, and affinity profiles correlated with transdermal passage properties, suggesting that retention within specific chromatographic ranges may be predictive of skin permeation. To complement this approach, mass diffusion measurements were also conducted using Permeapad® 96-well plates and LC was performed on a narrow bore column in MS-friendly conditions. These log Kp values were compared against both in vivo and chromatographic retention data. The combined use of these techniques offers a strategic framework for profiling new chemical entities for their dermal absorption in a manner that is both ethically compliant and eco-sustainable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Chromatographic Applications in Medicine)
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14 pages, 1654 KB  
Article
Plasma-Free Metanephrine and Normetanephrine Quantification for Clinical Applications Validated by Combining Solid-Phase Extraction and HPLC-MS/MS
by Hyebin Choi, Jisook Yim, Jiwon Yun, Jong Kwon Lee, Keun Ju Kim, Minjeong Nam, Myung Hyun Nam, Yunjung Cho and Seung Gyu Yun
Molecules 2025, 30(19), 3847; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30193847 - 23 Sep 2025
Viewed by 2749
Abstract
Plasma-free metanephrines are the most sensitive and specific biochemical markers for diagnosing catecholamine-secreting tumors, such as pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. In this study, we developed and validated a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for quantifying metanephrine and normetanephrine in human plasma, using solid-phase extraction [...] Read more.
Plasma-free metanephrines are the most sensitive and specific biochemical markers for diagnosing catecholamine-secreting tumors, such as pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. In this study, we developed and validated a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for quantifying metanephrine and normetanephrine in human plasma, using solid-phase extraction with a weak cation-exchange mechanism. Validation was performed according to the FDA Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance and CLSI guideline C62-A. The method showed excellent linearity over concentration ranges of 0.11–13.92 nmol/L for metanephrine and 0.14–26.43 nmol/L for normetanephrine, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999. The accuracy, precision, and lower limit of quantification met the acceptance criteria of the study. Matrix effect evaluation revealed a process efficiency of 121% for metanephrine at the lowest concentration, slightly exceeding the acceptable range of 100 ± 15%. This was likely because of matrix-induced ion enhancement or variability in extraction efficiency. However, all other tested concentrations were within the acceptable limits. Overall, this method demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, making it suitable for routine clinical applications. Minor deviations at low concentrations do not compromise reliability; however, future optimizations, such as matrix-matched calibration, may further improve performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Chromatographic Applications in Medicine)
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