Analysis of the methodology described in the thermoanalytical characterization involving aceclofenac compounds and their derivatives: what does the literature say?

Abstract

The thermoanalytical characterization of aceclofenac compounds and their derivatives is essential for understanding their physical and chemical properties. Thermoanalytical techniques offer critical insights into these compounds' thermal behavior, stability, and decomposition patterns, providing vital information for their formulation, processing, and storage. Aceclofenac, a diclofenac derivative, is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for treating inflammatory diseases. This physicochemical characterization is pivotal for assessing their stability, solubility, and bioavailability, involving various analytical techniques like melting point determination, decomposition temperature assessment, and heat capacity analysis. Thermoanalytical methods like thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are frequently employed in pharmaceutical compound characterization, offering insights into thermal stability, decomposition kinetics, and molecular structure. This review summarizes recent literature on thermoanalytical methodologies characterizing Aceclofenac and its derivatives. A bibliographic review was conducted using the SciFinder web platform, resulting in the selection of ten relevant articles published between 2016 and 2023. The analysis reveals that thermal analysis is crucial for studying pharmaceuticals, providing insights into various physicochemical properties.  Despite the importance of experimental methodologies in scientific publications, some studies lack adequate pre-experimental information, hindering reproducibility. In this review, it was observed that out of eight studies, twelve thermoanalytical techniques were employed for aceclofenac characterization, with DSC being the most used method. However, one author omitted crucial information about experimental procedures, highlighting the need for transparent reporting in scientific research.