Eudragit microparticles as a possible tool for ophthalmic administration of acyclovir

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Ophthalmology
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Ophthalmic drug delivery faces challenges like rapid clearance and limited bioavailability.
• Acyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat herpes simplex virus infections, including ocular herpes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize polyacrylic polymer microparticles for ophthalmic administration of acyclovir.
• To evaluate the drug release kinetics and in vitro efficacy of acyclovir-loaded microparticles.

Main Methods:

• Microparticles were fabricated using spray drying with Eudragit RL, RS, and NE polymers.
• Morphological characterization was performed using optical and electron microscopy.
• Drug release kinetics were assessed via a dialysis method; plaque reduction assays evaluated efficacy.

Main Results:

• Spray drying yielded microparticles with suitable characteristics for ophthalmic use and good encapsulation efficiency.
• Acyclovir exhibited controlled release from the microparticles, influenced by the specific Eudragit polymer used.
• Acyclovir-loaded microparticles demonstrated plaque reduction efficiency comparable to the free drug, except for RS/NE formulations.

Conclusions:

• Acyclovir-loaded polyacrylic microparticles are a promising system for sustained antiviral drug delivery to the eye.
• The choice of Eudragit polymer significantly impacts drug release profiles.
• This approach offers a viable alternative for managing ocular viral infections.