Sustained ophthalmic delivery of pH triggered Cromolyn sodium in situ gel

Abstract

The research study intends to formulate pH triggered in situ gel of Cromolyn sodium composed of Polyacrylic acid (carbopol 934) polymer in combination with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC K4M) polymer at 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 molar ratio by utilizing pH trigger method. Formulations were evaluated for pH, viscosity, gelling capacity, drug content and in vitro drug release. Results of Carbopol 934 and HPMC K4M based in situ gelling systems at 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 shown that the formulations were fluid state at room temperature in a formulated pH (pH 4.5) and went through fast progress into the viscous gel phase at the pH of the tear fluid 7.4. The viscosity of formulated pH triggered in situ gel at 2:1 molar ratio shown excellent result compares to 1:1, 1.5:1 molar ratio. The in vitro drug release of the developed in situ gelling formulations at 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 molar ratios increases the contact time and showed a non – fickian diffusion type of release behavior with 94.45%, 83.26%, 70.48% respectively over 8 hours periods compared with that of marketed formulation that shows 99.4% over 4 hours. Thus, the developed system at 2:1 molar ratio acts as a viable alternative to conventional eye drops and also prevent the rapid drainage.