Sustained release and permeation of timolol from surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticles through bioengineered...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Ophthalmology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Timolol hydrogen maleate is a key drug for treating ocular conditions.
• Developing effective ocular drug delivery systems is crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes.
• Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer potential for sustained drug release and enhanced bioavailability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate and evaluate surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticles (SM-SLNs) as a sustained delivery system for timolol hydrogen maleate.
• To assess the performance of these SM-SLNs using a human cornea construct for ocular drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• SM-SLNs containing timolol were prepared using melt emulsification and high-pressure homogenization.
• Characterization included particle size, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release studies.
• Drug permeation across a bioengineered human cornea model was evaluated using a Franz diffusion cell and analyzed via HPLC.

Main Results:

• SM-SLNs exhibited significantly smaller particle sizes (37.7-47.2 nm) and higher encapsulation efficiencies (>44%) compared to unmodified SLNs (>160 nm).
• Sustained in vitro drug release was observed from SM-SLNs.
• Enhanced and sustained permeation of timolol hydrogen maleate across the cornea construct was achieved with SM-SLNs compared to a simple aqueous solution.

Conclusions:

• Surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticles represent a promising strategy for enhancing the ocular bioavailability of timolol hydrogen maleate.
• This approach offers a potential improvement over conventional delivery methods for ocular drugs.