HPLC method for determination of diclofenac in human plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in Turkey

A simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for determination of diclofenac in human plasma. The method was validated on Ace C18 column using UV detection. The mobile phase consisted of 20 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7) containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid-acetonitrile (65:35, v/v). Calibration curve was linear between the concentration range of 75-4000 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day precision values for diclofenac in plasma were less than 3.6, and accuracy (relative error) was better than 5.3%. The limits of detection and quantification of diclofenac were 25 and 75 ng/mL, respectively. Also, this assay was applied to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of diclofenac in healthy Turkish volunteers who had been given 50 mg diclofenac.