Curcumin In Situ Gelling Polymeric Insert with Enhanced Ocular Performance.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmic Drug Delivery
• Polymer Science
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Ocular drug delivery faces challenges with long-acting formulations and poor curcumin solubility/stability.
• Conventional eye drops require frequent administration, limiting therapeutic efficacy.
• Curcumin's antioxidant properties are hindered by poor water solubility and stability in suspension.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate polymeric, in-situ gelling, and mucoadhesive inserts for sustained ocular curcumin delivery.
• To overcome limitations of conventional curcumin eye drops.
• To assess the physicochemical, in vitro, and in vivo performance of the developed inserts.

Main Methods:

• Solvent casting method using biocompatible polymers (HPMC, CMC, PL 127, PVA) and plasticizers.
• Characterization of inserts for physicochemical properties, mechanical strength, and mucoadhesion.
• In vitro release and transcorneal permeation studies compared to curcumin suspension.
• In vivo evaluation of ocular tolerability and sustained release.

Main Results:

• Curcumin was primarily dispersed in molecular form within smooth, crack-free inserts.
• Selected inserts showed improved mechanical and mucoadhesive properties.
• Significant enhancement in in vitro curcumin release (7.5- to 9-fold) and transcorneal permeation (5.4- to 8.86-fold) was observed.
• Inserts demonstrated good ocular tolerability and sustained release for over two hours.

Conclusions:

• Polymeric in-situ gelling inserts provide a viable alternative for ocular curcumin delivery.
• The developed inserts enhance curcumin's release, permeation, and duration of action.
• This novel formulation overcomes the limitations of conventional eye drops for curcumin.