Ultra-small algal chitosan ocular nanoparticles with iron-binding milk protein prevents the toxic effects of carbendazim pesticide.

AIM: To fabricate ultra-small algal chitosan nanoparticles (US CS NPs) for efficient delivery of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) to ocular tissues through topical administration to prevent carbendazim-induced toxicity. MATERIALS & METHODS: Rat eye model was used to evaluate the in vivo biodistribution the US CS NPs and bovine eye model was used for evaluating ex vivo biodistribution. Human lens epithelial cell line (HLEB-3) model was used to evaluate the in vitro toxicity, uptake mechanism and in vitro efficacy of the synthesized bLf-US CS NPs over carbendazim-induced ocular toxicity. RESULTS: The in vivo and ex vivo biodistribution results suggest that the ultra-small CS NPs efficiently internalize into the ocular tissues within 1 h after administering topically. Ultra-small algal nanocarriers to encapsulate bioactive antioxidant bLf protein and evaluated its potential in inhibiting carbendazim-induced human lens cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. bLf-encapsulated ultra-small algal US CS NPs prevented carbendazim-induced human lens cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: US CS NPs could be explored for their potential for delivering various ocular drugs through topical administration for other eye diseases including cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

Natural antioxidant biomolecules promises future nanomedicine based therapy for cataract.

Cataract is an eye disease of major human concern and its prevention is important to control the global incidences of blindness. The emergence of cataract in the eye lens by strong UV radiation and growing pollution could be effectively reduced by natural antioxidant biomolecules such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids and vitamins. This goal can be achieved either by direct external use of antioxidant biomolecules in the form of topical application as an eye drops, food supplements or through nanobiotechnology based formulation without any side effects. In this manuscript, we have discussed the mechanisms of cataract formation and the preventive role of different classes of natural antioxidant biomolecules. Further, role of nanobiotechnology to enhance therapeutic potential of these natural antioxidant molecules by enhancing solubility, stability, bioavailability and sustained release has been briefly discussed.