Quantitative estimation of diacerein in bulk and in capsule formulation using hydrotropic solubilizing agents by UV-spectrophotometry and the first order derivative using the area under curve method.

Purpose: This study was designed to develop and validate two simple, rapid, and economical UV-spectrophotometric and the first-order derivative methods using the area under curve method for estimation of diacerein in bulk and in capsule formulation.

Materials And Methods: In this study, hydrotrophic solution of 8 M urea and 0.5 M potassium citrate were employed as the solubilizing agent to solubilize a poorly water-soluble drug, diacerein. In the UV-spectrophotometry method, two wavelengths 252.0 nm and 266.2 nm and in the first-order derivative spectrophotometric methods two wavelengths 259.4 nm and 274.2 nm in 8 M urea and two wavelengths 247.8 nm and 267.4 nm in the UV-spectrophotometry method and in the first-order derivative spectrophotometric methods two wavelengths 259.2 nm and 274.2 nm in 0.5 M potassium citrate were selected for determination of areas.

Results: Hydrotrophic agents used did not interfere in spectrophotometric analysis of diacerein. Diacerein followed linearity in the concentration range of 2-12 μg/mL with a coefficient correlation of 0.999 for both methods.

Conclusion: The amount of drugs estimated by both proposed methods are in good accord with label claim. The % RSD value in recovery, precision, and ruggedness studies are found to be less than 2 indicate that the method is accurate, precise, and rugged.