Application of the high-performance liquid chromatographic method for separation, purification and characterisation of p-bromophenylacetylurea and its metabolites

This study presents a HPLC method for the separation and purification of p- bromophenylacetylurea (BPAU) and its metabolites. The method effectively se parated and purified BPAU and its metabolites. Three metabolites of BPAU, M 1, M2 and M3 were characterised by mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic r esonance. They are named as N'-hydroxy-p-bromophenylacetylurea, 4-(4-bromop henyl)-3-oxapyrrolidine-2,5-dione and N'-methyl-p-bromophenylacetylurea, re spectively. The major metabolic pathways of BPAU were proposed. The establi shment of the HPLC method and characterisation of BPAU metabolites make it possible for further pharmacokinetic studies to explore the mechanism of BP AU-induced delayed neuropathy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.