For the treatment of anterior eye segment infections using anti-infective agents, topical ocular application is the most convenient route of administration. topical delivery of anti-infective agents is associated with challenges owing to the unique structure of the eye. controlled delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs decreased toxicity and side effects, as well as patient compliance. nanofibers are ultrafine solid fibers notable for their very small diameters. they have significantly large surface area to volume ratio, porosity, surface functionality, and superior mechanical properties. the aim of the present work was to develop ofloxacin loaded ocular nanofibers composed of blends of pva, pvp, chitosan and glutaraldehyde and evaluate their potential for sustained ophthalmic delivery.
Methods
nanofibers solutions were obtained upon the composition of 2% (w/v) chitosan to 3% pva and 1%pvp with ofloxacin solved in ethanol under magnetic stirring at room temperatures. preparation of the nanofibers was carried out using a customized electrospining system. the crosslinking process with glutaraldehyde was carried out. the sterility testing of drug delivery systems were performed. nanofibers were characterised by ft-ir, sem. in vivo drug release tests in eyes rabbits were carried out.
Results
in vivo release studies in eye rabbits revealed a release during the 18 h followed. the overall results of the sterility test showed that ocular formulation prepared passes the sterility test as there was no evidence of the growth found in the negative control test tubes. sem images reveal that nanofibers prepared have good uniformity with regular diameter of about 300 nm. ft-ir exhibited the existence of relevant functional groups of pva, pvp and chitosan in the nanofibers.
Conclusion
From these results, we can conclude that cs nanofibers may represent an interesting vehicle in order to enhance the therapeutic index of clinically challenging drugs with potential application at extraocular level.
Keywords
nanofibers, ocular drug delivery, chitosan, electrospinning, ofloxacin
