Functional ibuprofen-loaded cationic nanoemulsion: development and optimization for dry eye disease treatment

Publication date: Available online 21 December 2019Source: International Journal of PharmaceuticsAuthor(s): Bisera Jurišić Dukovski, Marina Juretić, Danka Bračko, Danijela Randjelović, Snežana Savić, Mario Crespo Moral, Yolanda Diebold, Jelena Filipović-Grčić, Ivan Pepić, Jasmina LovrićAbstractInflammation plays a key role in dry eye disease (DED) affecting millions of people worldwide. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used topically to act on the inflammatory component of DED, but their limited aqueous solubility raises formulation issues. The aim of this study was development and optimization of functional cationic nanoemulsions (NEs) for DED treatment, as a formulation approach to circumvent solubility problems, prolong drug residence at the ocular surface and stabilize the tear film. Ibuprofen was employed as the model NSAID, chitosan as the cationic agent, and lecithin as the anionic surfactant enabling chitosan incorporation. Moreover, lecithin is a mixture of phospholipids including phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, two constituents of the natural tear film important for its stability. NEs were characterized in terms of droplet size, polydispersity index, zeta-potential, pH, viscosity, osmolarity, surface tension, entrapment efficiency, stability, sterilizability and in vitro release. NEs mucoadhesive properties were tested rheologically after mixing with mucin dispersion. Biocompatibility was assessed employing 3D HCE-T...
Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research