Aceclofenac: Species-Dependent Metabolism and Newer Paradigm Shift from Oral to Non-oral Delivery

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the group of drugs prescribed in various pain related disorders and inflammatory conditions. Diclofenac (DI) is widely prescribed drug for chronic inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder of adults, projected to affect about 60 million people of total world population by 2020. The chronic oral administration of diclofenac is linked with many gastrointestinal complications like ulceration, bleeding and perforation. These issues paved the way for the development of a structurally similar drug Aceclofenac, which proved to be a safer and more efficient alternative. In spite of better tolerability of Aceclofenac, the oral use of it is not completely free from typical NSAID like side effects. Thus in this context, it becomes mandatory to explore the potential of newer delivery approaches. Amongst the varied newer carrier-systems, microemulsion systems, lipidic colloidal carrier systems and many other supramolecular systems promise to improve the delivery. They tend to place the molecules to the desired target site or in the vicinity without disturbing the unaffected normal surrounding tissues and also ensure enhanced permeation into the skin. The current investigation highlights and deals with the different conventional and novel approaches used thus far in oral delivery of Aceclofenac, their limitations and recent shift towards non oral routes.