New Ultraviolet spectrophotometric method for the estimation of nimesulide

Two simple and accurate ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric methods with better detection range for estimation of nimesulide in pure form and in solid dosage form were developed in the present studies using 50% v/v and 100% v/v acetonitrile as the solvent system. The linearity range of nimesulide in both the methods was found to be 10-50 micrograms/ml at a lambda max of 300 nm. The linear regression equations obtained by the least-square regression method are Abs = 1.33 x 10(-1).Conc + 1.89 x 10(-1) in 50% v/v acetonitrile and Abs = 1.05 x 10(-1).Conc + 1.14 x 10(-1) in 100% v/v acetonitrile. The detection limit as per the error propagation theory was found to be 0.46 microgram/ml and 1.04 micrograms/ml, respectively, in 50% v/v and 100% v/v acetonitrile. The developed methods were employed with high degree of precision and accuracy for the estimation of total drug content in three commercial tablet formulations of nimesulide. The results of the analysis were validated statistically and by recovery studies.