Fluconazole (FLK) is chemically known as [2-(2,4,-difluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(1H1,2,4,-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol] [1] . FLK is an official drug in United States Pharmacopeia [2] , European Pharmacopoeia [3] and British Pharmacopoeia [4] . It is a synthetic bis-triazole derivative broad-spectrum antifungal drug and has been shown to be effective against a wide range of superficial fungal infections and systemic fungal infections, following both oral and intravenous administration [5] . It is recommended for the treatment of oropharyngeal, esophageal, or vulvovaginal candidiasis and prophylaxis treatment of disseminated and deep organ candidiasis [6] . Yeast infections have been prevented in patients who are likely to become infected, because these patients are being treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy by this drug before a bone marrow transplant [7] [8] . FLK is a highly selective inhibitor of fungal cytochrome P450 sterol C-14 (x-demethylation). Hence, this drug performs its action by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, therefore blocking the cell membrane formation [9] (Figure 1).

The literature survey revealed the availability of many techniques for the determination of FLK by assay methods in pharmaceuticals. Quantification of FLK both alone as well as in combined formulations has been achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [11] . UV-Visible-Spectrophotometry [12] and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) [13] are also reported for the quantification of FLK in formulations. A number of ultra performance liquid chromatographic methods have also been reported for the assay of FLK in mixed pharmaceuticals [14] . In recent years, there has been an increasing tendency observed towards development of stability-indicating assays [15] [16] .

In 2014, Singh et al. [17] developed and validated new HPLC-methods for the determination of FLK. Also Sadasivudu et al. [18] in 2009 and Zhang et al. [19] in 2008 developed the HPLC methods for FLK estimation. In 2012, Alizadeh et al. [20] developed a rapid and simple spectrophotometric method to determine the concentration of FLK, Ketoconazole and Clotrimazole. Also Singh et al. [21] in 2011 developed and validated a sensitive and accurate UV-spectrophotometric method for the estimation of FLK in raw material and in tablets.

Spectrophotometric technique is based on measuring the absorption of a monochromatic light in the near ultraviolet region (200-380 nm). The aim of the study is to develop a simple, rapid, precise and economical UV spectrophotometric method for the determination of FLK in capsule dosage form.

The UV method permits a simple, rapid and economical quantitation of fluconazole in capsule dosage form only. The λmax was found to be 210 nm. A very simple and economical method was developed to find the estimation of FLK which was carried out by using spectrophotometer on the two different brands of fluconazole available in Karachi pharmacies. Five different dilutions of the two brands were prepared (100 ppm, 50 ppm, 25 ppm, 12.5 ppm and 6.25 ppm) and their absorbance is shown in Table 1 and Table 2. The results of % assay were found in range; the results of their percent assay are shown in Table 3, and regression equation and regression line are obtained. For the detection of linearity, absorbance of these prepared different solutions of 100 ppm, 50 ppm, 25 ppm, 12.5 ppm and 6.25 ppm was taken. For linearity we use different concentrations from 100 ppm to 6.25 ppm and graph shows linear relationship between absorbance and concentration (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Squared correlation coefficient of each brand is shown which should not be less than 0.99. Squared correlation coefficient values of all the brands of FLK are well within the limit. In all results we find acceptable degree of linearity. All three brands of FLK showed linear relation with their dilution (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Safila Naveed,Maheen Nafees, (2015) UV Spectrophotometric Assay Method for the Determination of Fluconazole Capsules. Open Access Library Journal,02,1-5. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1101468

FLK: Fluconazole

FLK-01: Fluconazole Brand 01

FLK-02: Fluconazole Brand 02