Vancomycin Loaded Glycerol Monooleate Liquid Crystalline Phases Modified with Surfactants

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Materials Science
• Ophthalmic Drug Delivery

Background:

• Glycerol monooleate (MO) liquid crystalline phases (LCPs) are investigated for drug delivery applications.
• Achieving therapeutic concentrations of vancomycin hydrochloride (VHCl) in the eye requires effective delivery systems.
• Polyglycerol ester (PE) and triblock copolymer (TC) are explored as modifiers for MO LCPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of PE and TC on MO LCP properties.
• To evaluate the suitability of modified LCPs for topical and intravitreal VHCl delivery.
• To determine the optimal LCP formulation for sustained VHCl release in the eye.

Main Methods:

• Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to analyze LCP structure.
• Polarized light microscopy (PLM) for structural elucidation.
• In vitro release tests simulating ocular application (topical and intravitreal).

Main Results:

• SAXS analysis revealed PE induced a hexagonal to lamellar phase transition in MO LCP.
• TC induced a difficult-to-identify hexagonal phase transition.
• Modified LCPs exhibited distinct VHCl release profiles compared to controls.
• LCPs formulated with 30% PE demonstrated promising sustained VHCl release over 2880 minutes (48 hours).

Conclusions:

• MO LCPs modified with PE and TC alter their structural properties.
• The formulation of MO LCP with 30% PE is a potential candidate for intravitreal vancomycin hydrochloride delivery.
• This delivery system could facilitate sustained release for extended therapeutic effect in the eye.