Self-Assembled Multilayer Films for Time-Controlled Ocular Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Ophthalmology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Glaucoma treatment compliance is a significant challenge, leading to disease progression.
• Current therapies require frequent administration, impacting patient adherence.
• Autonomous drug delivery systems offer a potential solution to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a time-controlled drug delivery system for glaucoma treatment.
• To create biocompatible films capable of releasing precise amounts of brimonidine at specific times.
• To investigate the effect of graphene oxide and poly-β-aminoester layers on drug release kinetics.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of layer-by-layer drug delivery films containing brimonidine encapsulated in polymer-β-cyclodextrin.
• Incorporation of graphene oxide nanosheets and poly-β-aminoester (PBAE) layers to control drug release.
• In vitro analysis of brimonidine release profiles and cell viability assays.

Main Results:

• The developed films demonstrated tunable, time-controlled release of brimonidine.
• Increasing the number of graphene oxide layers proportionally delayed drug release.
• One graphene oxide bilayer was shown to delay brimonidine release for over 24 hours.
• In vitro assays confirmed 100% cell viability, indicating excellent biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• Layer-by-layer films incorporating graphene oxide and PBAE offer a promising strategy for sustained glaucoma therapy.
• This autonomous system can significantly improve patient compliance by providing controlled, long-term drug delivery.
• The tunable release kinetics allow for personalized treatment regimens in glaucoma management.