Two simple and accurate ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric methods with be
tter 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 mu g/ml at a lambda(max) of 300 nm.
The linear regression equations obtained by the least-square regression me
thod 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. T
he detection limit as per the error propagation theory was found to be 0.46
mu g/ml and 1.04 mu g/ml, respectively, in 50% v/v and 100% v/v acetonitri
le. The developed methods were employed with high degree of precision and a
ccuracy for the estimation of total drug content in three commercial tablet
formulations of nimesulide. The results of the analysis were validated sta
tistically and by recovery studies.