Precorneal Retention Research Articles

Liposome coated with low molecular weight chitosan and its potential use in ocular drug delivery

In this study liposome coated with low molecular weight chitosan (LCH) was proposed and investigated its in vitro and in vivo properties, and its potential use in ocular drug delivery was evaluated. LCH with a molecular weight of 8 kDa was prepared and coated on liposome loaded with diclofenac sodium. The LCH coating changed the liposome surface charge and slightly increased its particle size, while the drug encapsulation was not affected. After coating, the liposome displayed a prolonged in vitro drug release profile. LCH coated liposome also demonstrated an improved physicochemical stability at 25 °C in a 30-day storage period. The ocular bioadhesion property was evaluated by rabbit in vivo precorneal retention, and LCH coated liposome achieved a significantly prolonged retention compared with non-coated liposome or drug solution. The LCH coating also displayed a potential penetration enhancing effect for transcorneal delivery of the drug. In the ocular tolerance study, no irritation or toxicity was caused by continual administration of LCH coated liposome in a total period of 7 days. In conclusion, the LCH coating significantly modified the properties of liposome and brought a series of notable advantages for ocular drug delivery.

Mucoadhesive effect of thiolated PEG stearate and its modified NLC for ocular drug delivery

This study was to develop a thiolated non-ionic surfactant, cysteine-polyethylene glycol stearate (Cys-PEG-SA), for the assembling of nanoparticulate ocular drug delivery system with mucoadhesive property. Cys-PEG-SA was synthesized in two steps reaction involving a new derivative intermediate formation of p-nitrophenylcarbonyl-PEG-SA (pNP-PEG-SA). Up to 369.43 ± 25.54 μmol free thiol groups per gram of the conjugates was reached. The nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) loaded cyclosporine A (CyA) was prepared by melt-emulsification method. The mucoadhesive NLC (Cys-NLC) was obtained by incubating NLC emulsion with Cys-PEG-SA. The mucoadhesive properties of these nanocarriers were examined by using mucin particles method. The particle size or zeta potential of the porcine mucin particles were changed with the added concentration of Cys-PEG-SA, and the disulphide bond breaker cysteine significantly reduced the adhesion of Cys-NLC to mucin particles ( P < 0.05), whereas PEG-SA and NLC did not alternate the properties of the mucin particles. When Cys-NLC was administered topically to the rabbit eye, the encapsulated cyclosporine was found to remain on the ocular surface in the cul-de-sac for up to 6 h, both precorneal retention time and concentration were dramatically increased ( P < 0.05), compared with the NLC without thiomer modification.

Topical use of Coenzyme Q 10-loaded liposomes coated with trimethyl chitosan: Tolerance, precorneal retention and anti-cataract effect

The effects of the molecular weight (M W) and concentration of trimethyl chitosan (TMC) on the characteristics of Coenzyme Q 10-loaded liposomes coated with trimethyl chitosan were investigated while the efficacy of the antioxidant Coenzyme Q 10 in delaying selenite-induced cataract was assessed. The existence of a thick polymer layer on the surface of the liposomes nanoparticle system was affirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis and the changes in particle size distribution and zeta potential. The entrapment efficiency was almost the same as when the polymer was added to liposomes. The Draize test and histological analysis demonstrated the excellent ocular tolerance of TMC for topical administration. Gamma scintigraphic data clearly showed that the drug elimination of polymer-coated liposomes is significantly slower than the radiolabelled solution used as a control. An almost 4.8-fold increase in the precorneal residence time was achieved in the presence of TMC with a higher Mw compared with the control group. Furthermore, the anti-cataract effect was evaluated by morphological examination and analysis of biochemical changes. Coenzyme Q 10 exhibited a markedly anti-cataract effect with the percentage of lens opacity being about 53% at the final examination. The mean activities of superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione were significantly higher in the Coenzyme Q 10-treated group than in the cataract model group, while malondialdehyde was significantly lower. In conclusion, the physical properties and precorneal retention time of liposomes could be modified with TMC and ophthalmic instillation of Coenzyme Q 10 is able to retard selenite-induced cataract formation.

Ocular Gelling Microspheres: In Vitro Precorneal Retention Time and Drug Permeation Through Reconstituted Corneal Epithelium

The model drug norfloxacin (NOR) was encapsulated into trehalose (TRH) and hydroxyethylcellulose (NAT) microspheres to obtain a novel gelling ophthalmic delivery system for prolonged release on corneal tissue. We assessed NOR release from microspheres, prepared by the emulsion-solvent evaporation method. A new in vitro tear turnover model, including inserts containing reconstituted human corneal epithelium (RHC), was designed to evaluate the TRH/NAT microspheres' precorneal retention time. Bioadhesive properties of TRH/NAT microspheres were validated by using drug-loaded microspheres prepared with gelatine (GLT) commonly used as reference material in adhesion studies. In vitro drug release showed a typical trend of swelling systems. Precorneal retention tests showed that TRH/NAT microspheres maintained fluorescence in tear fluid for 81.7 min, whereas TRH/GLT microspheres and water solution maintained fluorescence for 51.8 and 22.3 min, respectively. NOR released from microspheres permeated throughout RHC slower (J(s) = 23.08 microg/cm(2)h) than NOR from commercial eye drops (J(s) = 42.77 microg/cm(2)h) used as the control. Adequate drug concentrations in aqueous humor could be prolonged after the administration of TRH/NAT/NOR microspheres. Good bioadhesive properties of the system and slow drug release on corneal surface might increase ocular NOR bioavailability.

Study of an alginate/HPMC-based in situ gelling ophthalmic delivery system for gatifloxacin

The poor bioavailability and therapeutic response exhibited by conventional ophthalmic solutions due to rapid pre-corneal elimination of the drug may be overcome by the use of in situ gel-forming systems that are instilled as drops into the eye and then undergo a sol–gel transition in the cul-de-sac. The present work describes the formulation and evaluation of an ophthalmic delivery system of an antibacterial agent, gatifloxacin, based on the concept of ion-activated in situ gelation. Alginate (Kelton ®) was used as the gelling agent in combination with HPMC (Methocel E50Lv) which acted as a viscosity-enhancing agent. The rheological behaviors of all formulations were not affected by the incorporation of gatifloxacin. Both in vitro release studies and in vivo pre-corneal retention studies indicated that the alginate/HPMC solution retained the drug better than the alginate or HPMC E50Lv solutions alone. These results demonstrate that the alginate/HPMC mixture can be used as an in situ gelling vehicle to enhance ocular bioavailability and patient compliance.

W/O microemulsions for ocular delivery: Evaluation of ocular irritation and precorneal retention

Water-in-oil microemulsions (w/o ME) capable of undergoing a phase-transition to lamellar liquid crystals (LC) or bicontinuous ME upon aqueous dilution were formulated using Crodamol EO, Crill 1 and Crillet 4, an alkanol or alkanediol as cosurfactant and water. The hypothesis that phase-transition of ME to LC may be induced by tears and serve to prolong precorneal retention was tested. The ocular irritation potential of components and formulations was assessed using a modified hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test (HET-CAM) and the preocular retention of selected formulations was investigated in rabbit eye using gamma scintigraphy. Results showed that Crill 1, Crillet 4 and Crodamol EO were non-irritant. However, all other cosurfactants investigated were irritant and their irritation was dependent on their carbon chain length. A w/o ME formulated without cosurfactant showed a protective effect when a strong irritant (0.1 M NaOH) was used as the aqueous phase. Precorneal clearance studies revealed that the retention of colloidal and coarse dispersed systems was significantly greater than an aqueous solution with no significant difference between ME systems (containing 5% and 10% water) as well as o/w emulsion containing 85% water. Conversely, a LC system formulated without cosurfactant displayed a significantly greater retention compared to other formulations.

Age and Sex Differences in Meibomian Gland Lipids

The poor bioavailability and therapeutic response exhibited by conventional ophthalmic solutions due to rapid pre-corneal elimination of the drug may be overcome by the use of in situ gel-forming systems that are instilled as drops into the eye and then undergo a sol–gel transition in the cul-de-sac. The present work describes the formulation and evaluation of an ophthalmic delivery system of an antibacterial agent, gatifloxacin, based on the concept of ion-activated in situ gelation. Alginate (Kelton®) was used as the gelling agent in combination with HPMC (Methocel E50Lv) which acted as a viscosity-enhancing agent. The rheological behaviors of all formulations were not affected by the incorporation of gatifloxacin. Both in vitro release studies and in vivo pre-corneal retention studies indicated that the alginate/HPMC solution retained the drug better than the alginate or HPMC E50Lv solutions alone. These results demonstrate that the alginate/HPMC mixture can be used as an in situ gelling vehicle to enhance ocular bioavailability and patient compliance.

Effect of chitosan and of N-carboxymethylchitosan on intraocular penetration of topically applied ofloxacin

The effects of chitosan hydrochloride (Ch-HCl) and of N-carboxymethylchitosan (CMCh), formulated in ophthalmic solutions, on the ocular pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin were studied in rabbits. The carboxymethylation of a chitosan of high molecular mass (1460 kDa) and deacetylation degree (89.9%) introduced 0.84 N-carboxymethyl groups per repeating unit. Aqueous solutions containing 1% (w/v) of either polymer showed a pseudoplastic rheologic behaviour, and, when instilled in rabbit eyes, produced no irritation. The kinetics of drug disappearance from tear fluid and the profiles of drug concentration in the aqueous humour versus time were determined and interpreted in the light of a pharmacokinetic model and of drug–polymer binding. Ch-HCl significantly enhanced intraocular drug penetration with respect to an isoviscous drug solution containing poly(vinyl alcohol) and to commercial ofloxacin eyedrops. This effect, which resulted in about 190% increase of the peak concentration in the aqueous, was ascribed to an increased corneal permeability. The polyanionic CMCh failed to enhance intraocular drug penetration. It nevertheless increased precorneal drug retention in virtue of its viscosity and of ofloxacin binding. Consequently, the residence time at concentrations higher than the MIC 90 and the bioavailability of the antibiotic in the aqueous were increased by about 150 and 240%, respectively, with respect to the reference vehicle.

Ocular delivery of flurbiprofen from ophthalmic liposomes dispersed in thermosensitive gel

In order to maintain adequate drug levels in ocular tissues, frequent drug instillation is necessary in treatment of ophthalmic disorders. Flurbiprofen, NSAIDs, was entrapped in EPC liposomes dispersed in thermosensitive polaxamer gel. The size and Zeta-​potential of the vesicles were analyzed. The in-​vitro leakage of the entrapped and free drug were carried out under sink condition, the t1​/2 for entrapped drug was 4.1 fold when compared to that of the free drug. The concns. of Flurbiprofen in the ocular tissues of the rabbits for both formulations (entrapped and free drug) were detd. by HPLC measurement. The in-​vivo study depicted that entrapment of the drug in liposomes enhanced the drug precorneal retention, drug penetration and consequently increased the drug levels in ocular tissues compared to free drug formulation. The study also revealed that, the highest drug level deposited in the cornea and sclera followed by aq. humor and vitreous body. The pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC and Cmax) and the significance t-​test levels (P values) for the difference between entrapped and free drug were calcd. It was found that the majority of differences were very highly to highly significant. These findings indicate that entrapment of drug in liposomes may be promising formulation, particularly when dispersed in highly viscous system, for ophthalmic therapeutic use.

Preparation and evaluation of liposomal formulations of tropicamide for ocular delivery

Tropicamide, a mydriatic, cycloplegic drug was entrapped in liposomes. Liposomes were investigated by laser counting studies, transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry for characterization. The precorneal clearance of liposomes was compared with solution by γ-scintigraphy in the rabbit. The neutral liposomes failed to demonstrate significant enhancement in precorneal retention in comparison with aqueous solution. The potential of liposomes as an ophthalmic drug delivery system was investigated by comparing pupil dilatory effect of tropicamide by topical instillation, in the rabbit eye, of the solution and various drug-loaded liposomal forms, i.e. neutral liposomes, positively charged liposomes and neutral liposomes dispersed in 0.25% (w/v) polycarbophil gel. The positively charged liposomal formulation and liposomes dispersed in polycarbophil gel were found to be more effective than neutral liposomal dispersion when data were statistically treated at the 5% level of significance.

Pectin microspheres as ophthalmic carriers for piroxicam: evaluation in vitro and in vivo in albino rabbits

Microparticulate polymeric delivery systems have been suggested as a possible approach to improve the low bioavailability characteristics shown by standard ophthalmic vehicles (collyria). Purpose of this study was the evaluation of pectin microspheres as delivery system for piroxicam (Px). The microspheres were prepared by a spray-drying technique; their morphological characteristics were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their in vitro release behavior was evaluated in pH 7.0 USP buffer using a flow-through apparatus. Px loaded in the pectin microspheres showed a faster in vitro dissolution rate with respect to solid micronized drug. The precorneal retention of fluorescein-loaded microspheres was evaluated in vivo in albino rabbits: an aqueous dispersion of fluorescent microspheres showed a significantly increased residence time in the eye (2.5 vs. 0.5 h) when compared with a fluorescein solution. In vivo tests in rabbits of dispersions of Px-loaded microspheres also indicated a significant improvement of Px bioavailability in the aqueous humour (2.5-fold) when compared with commercial Px eyedrops. The potential advantages and limitations of this delivery system are discussed.

Topical use of chitosan in ophthalmology: tolerance assessment and evaluation of precorneal retention

The mucoadhesive polysaccharide chitosan was evaluated as a potential component in ophthalmic gels for enabling increased precorneal drug residence times. This cationic vehicle was expected to slow down drug elimination by the lacrymal flow both by increasing solution viscosity and by interacting with the negative charges of the mucus. The molecular weight ( M w) and concentration of polysaccharide were studied in four types of chitosan as parameters that might influence ocular tolerability and precorneal residence time of formulations containing tobramycin as therapeutic agent. An ocular irritation test, using confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscopy (CLSO) combined with corneal fluorescein staining, clearly demonstrated the excellent tolerance of chitosan after topical administration onto the corneal surface. Gamma scintigraphic data showed that the clearance of the formulations labelled with 99mTc-DTPA was significantly delayed in the presence of chitosan with respect to the commercial collyrium (Tobrex ®), regardless of the concentration and of the molecular weight of chitosan in solution. At least a 3-fold increase of the corneal residence time was achieved in the presence of chitosan when compared to Tobrex ®.

Basis for dosing time-dependent changes in the ocular and systemic absorption of topically applied timolol.

The objective of the present study was to determine the basis for dosing time-dependent changes in the ocular and systemic absorption of topically applied timolol in pigmented rabbits. The gamma scintigraphic technique was used to monitor the changes in precorneal solution retention following instillation. Changes in timolol concentration in the plasma over 120 min and in various anterior segment eye tissues at 30 min following the topical instillation of 25 microliters of 0.65% timolol maleate solutions at various dosing times were monitored using reversed phase HPLC. Corneal and conjunctival permeability at various dosing times was evaluated in the modified Ussing chamber. The results indicated that precorneal solution drainage was slowest at noon. Suppressing tear production by anesthesia led to an increase in ocular timolol absorption at 6 a.m. but not at other dosing times, in spite of the lowest corneal permeability then. There was no statistically significant dosing time influence on systemic timolol absorption following nasal or conjunctival dosing. In conclusion, possible diurnal changes in precorneal solution clearance may be the main factor underlying the diurnal changes in ocular as well as systemic timolol absorption in rabbits. In addition, diurnal changes in corneal permeability may also contribute to diurnal changes in ocular timolol absorption.

Phase change and biodhesive systems in ocular drug delivery

The effects of chitosan hydrochloride (Ch-HCl) and of N-carboxymethylchitosan (CMCh), formulated in ophthalmic solutions, on the ocular pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin were studied in rabbits. The carboxymethylation of a chitosan of high molecular mass (1460 kDa) and deacetylation degree (89.9%) introduced 0.84 N-carboxymethyl groups per repeating unit. Aqueous solutions containing 1% (w/v) of either polymer showed a pseudoplastic rheologic behaviour, and, when instilled in rabbit eyes, produced no irritation. The kinetics of drug disappearance from tear fluid and the profiles of drug concentration in the aqueous humour versus time were determined and interpreted in the light of a pharmacokinetic model and of drug–polymer binding. Ch-HCl significantly enhanced intraocular drug penetration with respect to an isoviscous drug solution containing poly(vinyl alcohol) and to commercial ofloxacin eyedrops. This effect, which resulted in about 190% increase of the peak concentration in the aqueous, was ascribed to an increased corneal permeability. The polyanionic CMCh failed to enhance intraocular drug penetration. It nevertheless increased precorneal drug retention in virtue of its viscosity and of ofloxacin binding. Consequently, the residence time at concentrations higher than the MIC90 and the bioavailability of the antibiotic in the aqueous were increased by about 150 and 240%, respectively, with respect to the reference vehicle.

Evaluation of mucoadhesive polymers in ocular drug delivery. II. Polymer-coated vesicles.

Association of Carbopol 934P and Carbopol 1342 (a hydrophobic modified Carbopol resin) with phospholipid vesicles was assessed by photon correlation spectroscopy and microelectrophoresis at pH 7.4 and 5. The precorneal clearance of the polymer-coated vesicles was compared to that of uncoated vesicles by lacrimal dacryoscintigraphy in the rabbit. The mucoadhesive polymer-coated vesicles demonstrated significantly enhanced precorneal retention compared to noncoated vesicles only at pH 5 (P less than 0.005). The entrapment and subsequent release of tropicamide from Carbopol 1342-coated and uncoated liposomes were determined in vitro together with an in vivo evaluation of the vesicles formulated at the lower pH. Mucoadhesive polymer-coated vesicles failed to increase significantly the bioavailability of the entrapped tropicamide compared to uncoated vesicles and aqueous solution.

Relationship between precorneal retention of viscous eye drops and tear fluid composition.

The influence of viscolysers on the precorneal residence of a fluorescent tracer was determined, using slit lamp fluorophotometry. The solution acceptability was evaluated by the volunteers by answering a standard questionnaire. The relationship between precorneal retention of viscous eye drops, discomfort and tear fluid composition after instillation of various cellulosic solutions was examined. Irritating hydroxypropylcellulose solution increases the total protein concentration of tears, without change in the ratio of lysozyme to total protein.

Evaluation of mucoadhesive polymers in ocular drug delivery. I. Viscous solutions.

The potential of a mucoadhesive polymer as an ophthalmic vehicle is evaluated within the rabbit. Precorneal clearance of a mucoadhesive polymer solution (Carbopol 934P) is compared to that of an equiviscous nonmucoadhesive poly(vinyl alcohol) solution (PVA) and buffer (PBS). The precorneal retention of the Carbopol 934P, as studied by lacrimal dacryoscintigraphy, is shown to be significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than that of PVA, which, in turn, is significantly greater than that of PBS. The effect of the polymer solution on the bioavailability of pilocarpine is subsequently assessed by measuring the relative miotic response intensities produced by a 1% solution of the drug. Carbopol 934P solution produces a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in bioavailability as compared to PVA and PBS. The bioavailability from PVA is significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than that from PBS. Studies evaluating vehicle-drug association indicated no binding of the drug to the polymer.

Precorneal retention of topically instilled micronized particles

Precorneal retention of topically instilled micronized particles