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Updated: Nov 5, 2025
Use of Rabbit Eyes in Pharmacokinetic Studies of Intraocular Drugs
Published on: July 23, 2016
Intraocular Pressure Reduction Effect of 0.005% Latanoprost Eye Drops in a Hyaluronic Acid-Chitosan Nanoparticle Drug
Ana Marie L Rubenicia1,2, Leo D P Cubillan3,4, Victor Arni D P Sicam3,4
1The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction efficiency of hyaluronic acid-chitosan-latanoprost link nanoparticle (HA-CS-latanoprost link NP) formulated eye drops.
Methods:
The IOP reduction study was performed in 24 normotensive albino rabbits. The test animals were randomized and grouped accordingly to treatment namely, HA-CS-latanoprost link NP, plain latanoprost, and the commercially available Xalatan eye drop, all were formulated with 0.005% latanoprost. The 9 days of the experiment were divided into baseline period (days 1-2), treatment period (days 3-6), and recovery period (days 7-9). A wireless noncontact tonometer was used to measure IOP at a time interval of 2 hours for 12 hours per day with 5 readings each.
Results:
The highest mean daily IOP reduction during the treatment period was 24% for plain latanoprost, 23% for Xalatan, and 29% for HA-CS-latanoprost link NP. The maximum reduction in IOP for plain latanoprost and Xalatan all occurred at the sixth hour with the peak effects of 4.85 mm Hg (37%) and 4.8 mm Hg (36%), respectively. Although HA-CS-latanoprost link NP had peak effects of 5.75 mm Hg (43%) at the sixth hour and 5.22 mm Hg (39%) at the eighth hour. Daily mean IOP measurements of each treatment group showed that HA-CS-latanoprost link NP has a greater IOP reduction effect compared with the other two treatments (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The results showed that the formulation of latanoprost with CS and HA is more effective in reducing the IOP than by drug alone.
Translational Relevance:
The results provide evidence from animal experiment that HA-CS-latanoprost link NP formulation could improve and sustain drug concentration in the anterior segment of the eye. The improved reduction in IOP with that HA-CS-latanoprost link NP formulation can serve as a basis that latanoprost eye drops can be formulated with decreased concentration of benzalkonium HCl, an irritant preservative and penetration enhancer.
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