Comparative Evaluation Of Zero-Order, First-Derivative, And Second- Uv Spectrophotometric Methods For Quantitative Estimation Of Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, And Atorvastatin
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29284/5rm1xe19Keywords:
Derivative spectrophotometry; Diclofenac; Ibuprofen; Atorvastatin; UV analysis; Method validation.Abstract
Background: Diclofenac, ibuprofen, and atorvastatin are widely prescribed drugs requiring reliable analytical methods for quality control. Conventional zero-order UV spectrophotometry often suffers from spectral overlap and limited sensitivity in multicomponent analysis.
Methods: Zero-order, first-derivative, and second-derivative UV spectrophotometric methods were developed and validated for the quantitative estimation of diclofenac, ibuprofen, and atorvastatin in bulk and tablet formulations. Method validation was performed according to ICH Q2(R1) guidelines, and statistical comparison was conducted using one-way ANOVA.
Results: All methods exhibited acceptable linearity and accuracy; however, derivative spectrophotometric techniques demonstrated superior sensitivity, precision, and selectivity. The second-derivative method provided the lowest LOD and LOQ values and assay results closest to label claims. Statistical analysis confirmed significant improvements in analytical performance for derivative methods over zero-order analysis.
Conclusion: Derivative UV spectrophotometry, particularly second-derivative analysis, offers a robust, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable alternative for routine pharmaceutical quality control of multicomponent formulations.
References
1. Abd El Wahab, M. M., Saad, S., Sheribah, Z. A., & El-Enany, N. (2024). A green micelle-enhanced first derivative synchronous fluorescence approach for determination of donepezil HCl and trazodone HCl in their pure state, pharmaceutical dosage form and spiked human plasma. Luminescence, 39(6), e4797. https://doi.org/10.1002/bio.4797
2. Abdallah, N. A., Elmansi, H., Alossaimi, M. A., Altamimi, A. S. A., El Abass, S. A., & Elama, H. S. (2026). Harmonizing drug analysis and sustainability: Spectroscopic quantification of antiplatelet-anticoagulant regimens. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 345, 126769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2025.126769
3. Balbinot Filho, C. A., Teixeira, R. F., Dias, J. L., Rebelatto, E. A., & Lanza, M. (2024). First-Order Derivative Spectrophotometry for Simultaneous Determination of Vitamin C and Nicotinamide: Application in Quantitative Analysis of Cocrystals. ACS Omega, 9(26), 28776-28783. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c03172
4. Barakat, N. T., El-Brashy, A. M., & Fathy, M. E. (2025). Green-engineered multispectral analytical approaches for simultaneous quantification of amoxicillin and diclofenac in pure and combined forms. BMC Chem, 19(1), 168. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01545-8
5. Cassidy, B., Bloomingdale, T., & Carmody, J. (2025). Navigating ICH Q2(R2) compliance in analytical method validation: A gap analysis toolkit to streamline risk assessment and change management. J Pharm Sci, 114(6), 103749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2025.103749
6. Chaudhari, M., Parmar, P. K., & Dudhat, K. (2025). Comparative validation of UV-spectrophotometry and RP-HPLC methods for cefixime and moxifloxacin analysis. Anal Biochem, 697, 115724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ab.2024.115724
7. El-Alamin, M. M. A., Elkhalek, O. A., & Azab, M. M. (2025). An environmental green factorial design/assisted spectrofluorimetric technique for quantitation of citicoline in pharmaceutical dosage form and wastewater. Sci Rep, 15(1), 32547. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19263-5
8. El-Aziz, H. A., Fathy, M. E., El-Enany, N., Aly, F. A., & Tolba, M. M. (2022). Concurrent estimation of some co-administered antimicrobial drugs applying conventional and first derivative synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 264, 120255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2021.120255
9. El-Henawee, M. M., Abd El-Hay, S. S., Attala, K., & Eissa, M. S. (2021). Smart UV spectrophotometric methods based on simple mathematical filtration and classical methods for the simultaneous determination of tamsulosin and solifenacin: A comparative study of efficacy and spectral resolution. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 247, 119151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2020.119151
10. Han, H. J., & A, P. G. (2025). UV-Vis spectrophotometric determination of rare earth elements (REE) speciation at near-neutral to alkaline pH. Part II: hydrolysis of Er from 25 to 75 °C. Dalton Trans, 54(12), 5153-5163. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4dt03037k
11. Ibrahim, M. A., Algohary, A. M., Al-Ghamdi, Y. O., & Ibrahim, A. M. (2025). A Green analytical method for simultaneous determination of dexamethasone sodium phosphate and prednisolone acetate in veterinary formulations using UV spectroscopy and dimension reduction algorithms. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 328, 125446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2024.125446
12. Mohamed, A. A., El-Olemy, A., Ramzy, S., Abdelazim, A. H., Omar, M. K. M., & Shahin, M. (2021). Spectrophotometric determination of lesinurad and allopurinol in recently approved FDA pharmaceutical preparation. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 247, 119106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2020.119106
13. Mohammad, M. A., Mahrouse, M. A., Amer, E. A. H., & Elharati, N. S. (2021). Simultaneous determination of enalapril maleate and nitrendipine in tablets using spectrophotometric methods manipulating ratio spectra. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 244, 118894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2020.118894
14. Pethani, T. M., Sangani, M., & Santoki, P. S. (2025). Stability Indicating High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method Development, Validation, and Characterization of Forced Degradant Product by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy for Molnupiravir and Favipiravir. J Chromatogr Sci, 63(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/chromsci/bmaf015
15. Radwan, A. S., Salim, M. M., Belal, F., & Magdy, G. (2024). Eco-friendly four spectrophotometric approaches for the simultaneous determination of the recently FDA-approved combination, bupivacaine and meloxicam in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Sci Rep, 14(1), 27479. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77562-9
16. Ramzy, S., Althobaiti, Y. S., & Almalki, A. H. (2025). Eco-friendly second derivative synchronous fluorescence spectroscopic method for simultaneous determination of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe in pharmaceutical capsules. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 325, 125123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2024.125123
17. Saad Radwan, A., Salim, M. M., Hadad, G. M., Belal, F., & Elkhoudary, M. M. (2022). Simultaneous estimation of recently FDA approved co-formulated ophthalmic solution benoxinate and fluorescein: Application to aqueous humor. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 267(Pt 2), 120599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2021.120599
18. Sakur, A. A., & Zakri, D. A. (2023). Three new, UV spectrum filtration protocols for the synchronous quantification of ciprofloxacin HCl and ornidazole in the existence of ciprofloxacin-induced degradation compound. Heliyon, 9(12), e22752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22752
19. Sankarganesh, M., Jose, P. A., Raja, J. D., Revathi, N., Sakthivel, A., Rajesh, J., Gurusamy, S., & Solomon, R. V. (2023). Spectroscopic and theoretical approach of DNA interaction and anticancer studies of bio-pharmaceutically active pyrimidine derived Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes. Int J Biol Macromol, 249, 126095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126095
20. Sarkis, N., & Sawan, A. (2024). Method Development for Simultaneously Determining Indomethacin and Nicotinamide in New Combination in Oral Dosage Formulations and Co-Amorphous Systems Using Three UV Spectrophotometric Techniques. Int J Anal Chem, 2024, 2035824. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2035824
21. Sattar, O. I. A., Abuseada, H. H. M., Ramzy, S., & Abuelwafa, M. M. (2024). Three spectrophotometric quantitative analysis of bisoprolol fumarate and telmisartan in fixed-dose combination utilizing ratio spectra manipulation methods. Sci Rep, 14(1), 22899. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-72525-6
22. Sayed, R. A., Mohamed, A. R., Hassan, W. S., & Elmasry, M. S. (2021). Smart UV-spectrophotometric platforms for rapid green analysis of miconazole nitrate and nystatin in their combined suppositories and in vitro dissolution testing. Drug Dev Ind Pharm, 47(9), 1469-1480. https://doi.org/10.1080/03639045.2021.2001490
23. Siano, F., Vasca, E., & Picariello, G. (2022). Accurate determination of total biophenols in unfractionated extra-virgin olive oil with the fast blue BB assay. Food Chem, 370, 130990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130990
24. Sultana, S., Hossain, M. L., Sostaric, T., Lim, L. Y., Foster, K. J., & Locher, C. (2024). Investigating Flavonoids by HPTLC Analysis Using Aluminium Chloride as Derivatization Reagent. Molecules, 29(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29215161
25. Türksever, E., & Topkaya, D. (2024). Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties of Oxazol-5-one- Substituted Phthalonitrile: A Novel Precursor for the Synthesis of Phthalocyanines. J Fluoresc, 34(2), 847-854. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-023-03324-x
26. Zhuo, W., Tang, J., Liang, J., & Cao, R. (2024). [Simultaneous determination of four N-lauryl amino acid surfactants in facial cleansers by high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection]. Se Pu, 42(1), 99-105. https://doi.org/10.3724/sp.J.1123.2023.09008
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
