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Heljak MK, Cesur S, Ilhan E, Swieszkowski W, Gunduz O, Kijeńska-Gawrońska E. In silico evaluation of corneal patch eluting anti-VEGF agents concept. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 204:114494. [PMID: 39255920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
This study introduces a novel approach utilizing a temporary drug-eluting hydrogel corneal patch to prevent neovascularization, alongside a numerical predictive tool for assessing the release and transport kinetics of bevacizumab (BVZ) after the keratoplasty. A key focus was investigating the impact of tear film clearance on the release kinetics and drug transport from the designed corneal patch. The proposed tear drug clearance model incorporates the physiological mechanism of lacrimal flow (tear turnover), distinguishing itself from previous models. Validation against experimental data confirms the model's robustness, despite limitations such as a 2D axisymmetrical framework and omission of blink frequency and saccadic eye movements potential effects. Analysis highlights the significant influence of lacrimal flow on ocular drug transport, with the corneal patch extending BVZ residence time compared to topical administration. This research sets the stage for exploring multi-layer drug-eluting corneal patches as a promising therapeutic strategy in ocular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin K Heljak
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland.
| | - Sumeyye Cesur
- Center for Nanotechnology & Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Marmara University, Turkiye; Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Marmara University, Turkiye
| | - Elif Ilhan
- Center for Nanotechnology & Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Marmara University, Turkiye
| | - Wojciech Swieszkowski
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
| | - Oguzhan Gunduz
- Center for Nanotechnology & Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Marmara University, Turkiye; Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Marmara University, Turkiye
| | - Ewa Kijeńska-Gawrońska
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland.
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Kattar A, Vivero-Lopez M, Concheiro A, Mudakavi R, Chauhan A, Alvarez-Lorenzo C. Oleogels for the ocular delivery of epalrestat: formulation, in vitro, in ovo, ex vivo and in vivo evaluation. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01560-7. [PMID: 38780858 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01560-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The ocular administration of lipophilic and labile drugs such as epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor with potential for diabetic retinopathy treatment, demands the development of topical delivery systems capable of providing sufficient ocular bioavailability. The aim of this work was to develop non-aqueous oleogels based on soybean oil and gelators from natural and sustainable sources (ethyl cellulose, beeswax and cocoa butter) and to assess their reproducibility, safety and efficiency in epalrestat release and permeation both ex vivo and in vivo. Binary combinations of gelators at 10% w/w resulted in solid oleogels (oleorods), while single gelator oleogels at 5% w/w remained liquid at room temperature, with most of the oleogels displaying shear thinning behavior. The oleorods released up to 4 µg epalrestat per mg of oleorod in a sustained or burst pattern depending on the gelator (approx. 10% dose in 24 h). The HET-CAM assay indicated that oleogel formulations did not induce ocular irritation and were safe for topical ocular administration. Corneal and scleral ex vivo assays evidenced the permeation of epalrestat from the oleorods up to 4 and 2.5 µg/cm2 after six hours, respectively. Finally, the capacity of the developed oleogels to sustain release and provide significant amounts of epalrestat to the ocular tissues was demonstrated in vivo against aqueous-based niosomes and micelles formulations loaded with the same drug concentration. Overall, the gathered information provides valuable insights into the development of oleogels for ocular drug delivery, emphasizing their safety and controlled release capabilities, which have implications for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and other ocular conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Kattar
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - Maria Vivero-Lopez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - Angel Concheiro
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - Rajeev Mudakavi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Anuj Chauhan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain.
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Marto-Costa C, Toffoletto N, Salema-Oom M, Antunes AMM, Pinto CA, Saraiva JA, Silva-Herdade AS, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Serro AP. Improved triamcinolone acetonide-eluting contact lenses based on cyclodextrins and high hydrostatic pressure assisted complexation. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 331:121880. [PMID: 38388063 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Contact lenses (CLs) constitute an advantageous platform for the topical release of corticosteroids due to their prolonged contact with the eye. However, the lipophilic nature of corticosteroids hampers CLs' ability to release therapeutic amounts. Two approaches to improve loading and release of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-based hydrogels were investigated: adding 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) to the monomers solution before polymerization (HEMA/i-CD) and an hydrogels' post-treatment with HP-β-CD (HEMA/p-CD). The effect of HP-β-CD and sterilization by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the hydrogel properties (water content, oxygen and ion permeability, roughness, transmittance, and stiffness) was evaluated. The HEMA/i-CD hydrogels had stronger affinity for TA, sustaining its release for one day. HHP sterilization promoted the formation of cyclodextrin-TA complexes within the hydrogels, improving their drug-loading capacity »60 %. Cytotoxicity and irritability tests confirmed the safety of the therapeutic CLs. TA released from the hydrogels permeated through ocular tissues ex vivo and showed anti-inflammatory activity. Finally, a previously validated mathematical model was used to estimate the ability of the TA-loaded CLs to deliver therapeutic drug concentrations to the posterior part of the eye. Overall, HP-β-CD-containing CLs are promising candidates for the topical ocular application of TA as an alternative delivery system to intraocular injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Marto-Costa
- Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE) - Institute of Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico - University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Campus Universitário, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Almada, Portugal.
| | - Nadia Toffoletto
- Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE) - Institute of Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico - University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Campus Universitário, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Almada, Portugal.
| | - Madalena Salema-Oom
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Campus Universitário, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Almada, Portugal.
| | - Alexandra M M Antunes
- Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE) - Institute of Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico - University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Carlos A Pinto
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Chemical Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Jorge A Saraiva
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Chemical Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Ana S Silva-Herdade
- Instituto de Bioquímica, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina - University of Lisbon, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+DFarma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Ana Paula Serro
- Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE) - Institute of Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico - University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Campus Universitário, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Almada, Portugal.
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Geng F, Fan X, Liu Y, Lu W, Wei G. Recent advances in nanocrystal-based technologies applied for ocular drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2024; 21:211-227. [PMID: 38271023 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2024.2311119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The intricate physiological barriers of the eye and the limited volume of eye drops impede efficient delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. In the last decade, nanocrystals have emerged as versatile drug delivery systems in various administration routes from bench to bedside. The unique superiorities of nanocrystals, mainly embodied in high drug-loading capacity, good mucosal adhesion and penetration, and greatly improved drug solubility, reveal a promising prospect for ocular delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. AREAS COVERED This article focuses on the ophthalmic nanocrystal technologies and products that are in the literature, clinical trials, and even on the market. The recent research progress in the preparation, ocular application, and absorption of nanocrystals are highlighted, and the pros and cons of nanocrystals in overcoming the physiological barriers of the eye are also summarized. EXPERT OPINION Nanocrystals have demonstrated success as glucocorticoid eye drops in the treatment of anterior segment diseases. However, the thermodynamic stability of nanocrystals remains the major challenge in product development. New technologies for efficiently optimizing stabilizers and sterilization processes are still expected. Strategies to confer more diverse functions via surface modification are also worth exploration to improve the potential of nanocrystals in delivering poorly water-soluble drugs to posterior segment of the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyang Geng
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingyan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiyue Lu
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of ImmunoTherapeutics, Shanghai, China
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Toffoletto N, Salema-Oom M, Nicoli S, Pescina S, González-Fernández FM, Pinto CA, Saraiva JA, Alves de Matos AP, Vivero-Lopez M, Huete-Toral F, Carracedo G, Saramago B, Serro AP. Dexamethasone phosphate and penetratin co-eluting contact lenses: a strategy to enhance ocular drug permeability. Int J Pharm 2024; 650:123685. [PMID: 38072146 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Contact lenses (CLs) have been suggested as drug delivery platforms capable of increasing the drug residence time on the cornea and therefore its bioavailability. However, when targeting the posterior segment of the eye, the drug released from CLs still encounters the barrier effect of the ocular tissues, which considerably reduces the efficacy of administration. This work aims at the development of CLs able to simultaneously deliver an anti-inflammatory drug (dexamethasone sodium phosphate) and a cell-penetrating peptide (penetratin), the latter acting as a drug carrier across the tissues. Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-based hydrogels were functionalized with acrylic acid (AAc) and/or aminopropyl methacrylamide (APMA) to serve as CL materials with increased affinity for the drug and peptide. APMA-functionalized hydrogels sustained the dual release for 8 h, which is compatible with the wearing time of daily CLs. Hydrogels demonstrated suitable light transmittance, swelling capacity and in vitro biocompatibility. The anti-inflammatory activity of the drug was not compromised by the presence of the peptide nor by sterilization. The ocular distribution of the drug after 6 h of CL wearing was evaluated in vivo in rabbits and revealed that the amount of drug in the cornea and aqueous humor significantly increased when the drug was co-delivered with penetratin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Toffoletto
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Campus Universitario, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Madalena Salema-Oom
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Campus Universitario, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Sara Nicoli
- ADDRes Lab, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/a, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Silvia Pescina
- ADDRes Lab, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/a, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Felipe M González-Fernández
- ADDRes Lab, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/a, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Carlos A Pinto
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Jorge A Saraiva
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - António P Alves de Matos
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Campus Universitario, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Maria Vivero-Lopez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Insititute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Fernando Huete-Toral
- Ocupharm Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, C/Arcos de Jalón 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gonzalo Carracedo
- Ocupharm Research Group, Department of Optometry and Vision, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, C/Arcos de Jalón 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Benilde Saramago
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ana Paula Serro
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Campus Universitario, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal.
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