Abstract
The eye is a complex organ consisting of several protective barriers and particular defense mechanisms. Since this organ is exposed to various infections, genetic disorders, and visual impairments it is essential to provide necessary drugs through the appropriate delivery routes and vehicles. The topical route of administration, as the most commonly used approach, maybe inefficient due to low drug bioavailability. New generation safe, effective, and targeted drug delivery systems based on nanocarriers have the capability to circumvent limitations associated with the complex anatomy of the eye. Nanotechnology, through various nanoparticles like niosomes, liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, and different polymeric vesicles play an active role in ophthalmology and ocular drug delivery systems. Niosomes, which are nano-vesicles composed of non-ionic surfactants, are emerging nanocarriers in drug delivery applications due to their solution/storage stability and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, they are biocompatible, biodegradable, flexible in structure, and suitable for loading both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. These characteristics make niosomes promising nanocarriers in the treatment of ocular diseases. Hereby, we review niosome based drug delivery approaches in ophthalmology starting with different preparation methods of niosomes, drug loading/release mechanisms, characterization techniques of niosome nanocarriers and eventually successful applications in the treatment of ocular disorders.
Highlights
The human eye consists of several barriers and defense mechanisms, in order to protect this sensory organ from its surroundings
Thriving development of nanocarriers loaded with particular drugs, to lower the intraocular pressure in the eye, was reported by Natarajan et al introducing this structure as a prime sustained-release nanodrug candidate for glaucoma therapy [7]
Highest EE% found in niosomes prepared with span60 and Tween 40 (>90%), and niosomes prolonged drug release and intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering activity up to 24 h
Summary
The human eye consists of several barriers and defense mechanisms, in order to protect this sensory organ from its surroundings. Rodrigues and co-workers succeed in sustained release of a Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor/Serum Response Factor (MRTF/SRF) inhibitor over time and prevention of conjunctival fibrosis in a rabbit model by using a nanocarrier-based formulation. They encapsulated an MRTF/SRF inhibitor, into large unilamellar liposomes to decrease the release rate. Vanish et al investigated the application of polymeric nanomicelles for intraocular and surface ocular disease treatment [8] These vesicles extend the half-life of drugs in serum by keeping them away from reticule endothelial systems (RESs). The non-specific adsorption is being decreased significantly by optimizing the components of vesicles or building a multi-functional surface
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