The electrooxidation of xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat was investigated on a boron-doped diamond electrode in aqueous solution. The oxidation of the drug molecule was irreversible and exhibited a diffusion-controlled form. A green electroanalytical method for simple and fast measurements of febuxostat was developed at the unmodified electrode surface. The analyses were performed using square-wave voltammetric peak current at 1.38 V. The linear response was obtained in the range of 7.5 × 10-7 - 2.0 × 10-5 M with the detection limit of 9.5 × 10-8 M. The practical analytical value of the method is demonstrated by quantitative determination of febuxostat in film-coated tablets with excellent recovery of 99.6%. Interference studies reveal that uric acid shows a well-developed voltammetric response at +0.64 V. In view of this, the electroanalytical performances of the boron-doped diamond electrode can open up new possibilities for development of the method for simultaneous clinical analysis of febuxostat and uric acid.
Keywords: Febuxostat; boron-doped diamond electrode; determination; green electrochemistry; voltammetry.