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Ocular drug delivery system: a reference to natural polymers.
Priyanka Pahuja1, Sandeep Arora, Pravin Pawar
1Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Patiala, Punjab, India.
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|June 19, 2012
Summary
Natural polymers offer a promising solution for enhanced ocular drug delivery, overcoming bioavailability challenges with controlled release. Further research is needed for commercialization of these advanced ophthalmic formulations.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Materials Science
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Ocular drug delivery faces significant challenges due to anatomical and physiological barriers, resulting in low bioavailability (<10%) with conventional methods.
- Developing novel formulations is crucial for controlled drug release to ocular tissues, reducing the need for frequent administrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of natural polymers in developing advanced ophthalmic formulations for improved ocular drug delivery.
- To discuss key factors influencing the fabrication and drug release rates of natural polymer-based ophthalmic products.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on natural polymers and their application in ophthalmic formulations.
- Discussion of properties of drug molecules and polymers affecting drug release kinetics.
- Identification of novel and conventional polymers suitable for controlled ocular drug delivery.
Main Results:
- Natural polymers, including arabinogalactan, xyloglucan, and gum cordia, show potential for controlled ocular drug delivery.
- Conventional polymers like chitosan, sodium alginate, and hyaluronic acid are also effective in various ophthalmic formulations.
- These polymers enable sustained drug release, addressing limitations of topical drug administration.
Conclusions:
- Natural polymers can overcome limitations in topical delivery of genes and chemotherapeutic drugs for ocular applications.
- Significant research and development are required to establish natural polymers in novel ophthalmic formulations on a commercial scale.
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