Optimization of Solvents and Processing Conditions for Crystallization of Aceclofenac

Background: Polymorphism is the phenomena where drug exists in more than one crystalline form. Though polymorphs are chemically identical, they exhibit different physicochemical properties like melting point, solubility, dissolution profile etc. which further affect the biological properties of drugs. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of solvents of different polarity and processing conditions on crystallization and physicochemical properties of Aceclofenac.

Methods: The crystals were prepared from different polarity of solvents and processing conditions like deep freezing, law temperature cooling, room temperature cooling etc. The melting point, solubility, dissolution profile, Fourier Transform Infra-Red, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy studies were carried out to check for polymorphism in drug. Dissolution kinetic was also studied to compare the dissolution profiles of drug and its crystals.

Result: The result indicate that crystal obtained from different solvents and processing conditions exhibited different physicochemical properties. Though FT-IR and XRD gave an indication of difference in the spectra, but DSC proved absence of any polymorphic behavior in the crystals of aceclofenac.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the crystals with different properties can be obtained by changing solvent polarity and processing conditions.