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Effect of methyl cellulose on gelation behavior and drug release from poloxamer based ophthalmic formulations

Mitali Dewan1, Biplab Bhowmick1, Gunjan Sarkar1

  • 1Department of Polymer Science and Technology, University College of Science and Technology, University of Calcutta, 92 A.P.C. Road, Kolkata 700 009, India.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|September 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Methyl cellulose molecular weight significantly impacts Poloxamer 407 gelation and Ketorolac Tromethamine release in ophthalmic formulations. Higher molecular weight methyl cellulose enhances viscosity, gel strength, and drug release.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Poloxamer 407 (PM) is a thermoresponsive polymer widely used in ophthalmic formulations.
  • Methyl cellulose (MC) is a common excipient that can modify polymer properties.
  • Understanding the interplay between MC molecular weight and PM properties is crucial for optimizing drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of methyl cellulose (MC) weight average molecular weight (Mw) on the gelation behavior of Poloxamer 407 (PM).
  • To evaluate the in vitro release of Ketorolac Tromethamine (KT) from PM-based ophthalmic formulations containing MC with varying Mw.
  • To determine the optimal MC Mw for enhanced ophthalmic formulation performance.

Main Methods:

  • Gelation temperature was assessed using the test tube tilting method.
  • Viscosity and gel strength were measured using viscometry and rheometry.
  • UV-vis spectroscopy was employed for formulation analysis.
  • In vitro drug release studies were conducted for Ketorolac Tromethamine.

Main Results:

  • An increase in MC Mw led to a decrease in the gelation temperature of PM.
  • Viscosity and gel strength of the PM-MC formulations increased with higher MC Mw.
  • The ophthalmic formulation containing the highest Mw MC exhibited superior Ketorolac Tromethamine release properties.

Conclusions:

  • The weight average molecular weight of methyl cellulose distinctly influences the gelation behavior of Poloxamer 407.
  • MC Mw plays a critical role in modulating the viscosity, gel strength, and drug release profile of PM-based ophthalmic formulations.
  • Optimizing MC Mw is essential for developing effective Ketorolac Tromethamine ophthalmic delivery systems.
Keywords:
Gelation behaviorIn vitro drug releaseMethyl celluloseMolecular weight effectRheological property

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