PLGA nanoparticles for intravitreal peptide delivery: statistical optimization, characterization and toxicity...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Ocular Drug Delivery
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Intravitreal injections are standard for posterior eye drug delivery but cause complications and high costs.
• Ocular barriers limit drug penetration, necessitating frequent injections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize peptide-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) for enhanced posterior eye segment delivery.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of these optimized PLGA NPs.

Main Methods:

• Nanoparticle formulation via nanoprecipitation, optimized using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
• Toxicity and apoptosis assessment using the zebrafish embryo toxicity (ZET) model.
• Characterization of nanoparticle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential.

Main Results:

• Optimized PLGA NPs exhibited sizes between 75.6-153.8 nm, PDI of 0.11-0.25, and zeta potential of -9.4 to -46.0 mV.
• Zebrafish embryos treated with NPs showed normal survival and hatching rates, with no significant malformations.
• Cellular apoptosis studies confirmed the non-cytotoxic nature of the developed nanoparticles.

Conclusions:

• Optimized PLGA nanoparticles are a safe and promising platform for efficient peptide delivery to the posterior segment of the eye.
• This approach offers a potential alternative to frequent intravitreal injections, reducing complications and costs.