FT-NIR spectroscopy for rapid and simple determination of nimesulide in rabbit plasma for pharmacokinetic analysis

High-throughput analysis of a large number of samples for pharmacokinetic study is necessary in drug development and pharmacovigilance. Usually, drug quantification for pharmacokinetics and bio-availability is achieved through matrix extraction and HPLC analysis, which is time, labour and cost intensive method. A prompt and solvent free method is the quest for such analysis in the present times. Pharmacokinetic analysis of nimesulide from plasma samples of rabbits through Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy analysis combined with partial least squares (PLS) regression model was undertaken with validation through HPLC analysis. Pharmacokinetic parameters obtained through FT-NIR and HPLC were found to be statistically similar with errors below the acceptable limits. The study demonstrates the use of FT-NIR for pharmacokinetics and bio-availability studies. This high throughput method analyses more than 50 samples in an hour without solvents usage and provide ample scope for automation and commercial utilization.