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Published on: September 27, 2021
Mucoadhesive Microparticles Engineered for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery
Young Bin Choy1, Jung-Hwan Park, Mark R Prausnitz
1School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Center for Drug Design, Development and Delivery, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0100, USA.
The Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids
|July 27, 2010
Summary
Engineered microparticles enhance ocular drug delivery by increasing residence time on the eye surface. These mucoadhesive microparticles offer sustained drug release for treating eye diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Materials Science
- Pharmaceutics
Background:
- Topical ocular drug delivery is limited by rapid formulation clearance from the eye surface.
- Conventional eye drops have short residence times, reducing therapeutic efficacy.
- There is a need for advanced drug delivery systems to improve ophthalmic treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer microparticles for sustained drug delivery and prolonged residence time on the ocular surface.
- To investigate the mucoadhesive properties of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLG) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microparticles.
- To evaluate the in vivo ocular surface residence time of these microparticles.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of microparticles using emulsification with PLG (core) and PEG (mucoadhesion promoter).
- Controlled particle size (<10 microm) to minimize eye irritation and facilitate clearance.
- In vitro mucoadhesion tests and in vivo topical administration in rabbit eyes.
Main Results:
- PLG microparticles incorporating PEG demonstrated enhanced mucoadhesion compared to those without PEG.
- In vivo studies showed microparticles remained on the ocular surface for up to 30 minutes.
- This represents a significant increase in residence time compared to conventional eye drops.
Conclusions:
- Mucoadhesive microparticles formulated with PLG and PEG are effective for sustained ophthalmic drug delivery.
- These microparticles significantly prolong drug contact time on the ocular surface.
- Engineered microparticles show promise as advanced vehicles for treating eye diseases.
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