First Electrochemical Insights Into Ensartinib Oxidation

Researchers have reported the first electrochemical investigation of ensartinib, a recently approved anticancer drug, at a modified carbon paste electrode. The study, published in BMC Chemistry, examines the oxidation behavior of the drug using an electrode incorporating aluminum oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotube nanostructures.

The research team, led by Aisha A. Alsfouk and colleagues, constructed a carbon paste electrode modified with Al2O3–MWCNT nanostructures to probe the electrochemical properties of ensartinib.

Voltammetric analysis revealed a distinct anodic signal corresponding to the oxidation of ensartinib. The voltammetric response indicated an irreversible oxidation event.

Further investigation into the reaction mechanism involved varying the scan rate of the voltammetric measurements. The study found that the peak current increased proportionally with the scan rate, a pattern that supports the conclusion that adsorption is the predominant process controlling the electrode reaction.

The researchers observed a systematic displacement of the oxidation potential as the pH of the solution changed. This shift suggests that proton transfer is involved in the electron oxidation mechanism.

Modification of the carbon paste surface with the Al2O3–MWCNT nanostructure resulted in an increased measured response for ensartinib. This enhancement was attributed to two main factors: improved interfacial adsorption of the drug molecules and more efficient electron-transfer kinetics.

Based on these electrochemical characteristics, the researchers developed a differential pulse voltammetric procedure for the quantification of ensartinib at micromolar concentration levels. The method was validated by applying it to pharmaceutical formulations and spiked plasma samples, where it showed satisfactory analytical performance.

The findings establish the oxidation characteristics of ensartinib at the modified electrode and demonstrate its suitability as the basis for voltammetric determination in the investigated matrices.

Subject of Research: Electrochemical oxidation of ensartinib at a modified carbon paste electrode

Article Title: Adsorption-controlled electrooxidation of ensartinib at a nanostructured Al2O3–MWCNT electrode: first electrochemical insights

Article References: Alsfouk, A. A., Al-Khateeb, L. A., Al kamaly, O., Tantawy, M. A., Khashoqji, M. M., & Elkhamisy, A. E. (2026). Adsorption-controlled electrooxidation of ensartinib at a nanostructured Al2O3–MWCNT electrode: first electrochemical insights. BMC Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-026-01945-4

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s13065-026-01945-4

Keywords: ensartinib, electrochemistry, carbon paste electrode, nanostructures, pharmaceutical analysis, voltammetry, drug detection, BMC Chemistry, Adsorption-controlled, electrooxidation, nanostructured, Al2O3