Formulation and Evaluation of Nanoparticulate Ocular Drug Delivery System for Antiviral Drug

Abstract

The present study was aimed to formulate and evaluate nanoparticulate ocular drug delivery system for acyclovir an antiviral drug using chitosan polymer. The acyclovir loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation of chitosan with tripolyphosphate anion in the presence of Tween 80. About 15 formulations were prepared (F-1 to F-15) using different concentrations of polymer. The primary focus of the present study was to investigate the influence of chitosan concentration on physicochemical and release characteristics of the nanoparticles keeping the other parameters such as concentration of surfactant, sodium tripolyphosphate and stirring time constant and varying sonication time. The prepared acyclovir loaded chitosan nanoparticles were evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, morphological characteristics, entrapment efficiency, loading capacity and in-vitro drug release. Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements were carried out on the pure acyclovir, chitosan polymer, acyclovir with polymer and prepared acyclovir loaded chitosan nanoparticles. newlineCONCLUSION: newlineAcyclovir loaded chitosan nanoparticles exhibited excellent capacity for the association of acyclovir. The mean particle size, morphological characteristics, surface property, encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of the nanoparticles appear to depend on the concentration of polymer. The in-vitro release profile of acyclovir from nanoparticles has shown a slow controlled release following zero order kinetic with Non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. In-vivo release profile indicated that polymeric system of acyclovir has achieved the objectives of increased contact time, prolonged drug release and decreased frequency of administration. The results demonstrated the effective use of acyclovir loaded chitosan nanoparticles as a controlled release preparation for treatment of ocular viral infections. newline newline