In vitro and in vivo evaluation of gliclazide push-pull osmotic pump coated with aqueous colloidal polymer dispersions.

The objective of present work was to design and evaluate gliclazide push-pull osmotic pump (PPOP) coated with aqueous colloidal polymer dispersions-Eudragit(®) RL 30D and Eudragit(®) RS 30D. The influence of diacetin, diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl sebacate (DBS) and triethyl citrate (TEC) on the free Eudragit(®) RL 30D and Eudragit(®) RS 30D films as plasticizers on drug release were studied. Among these four plasticizers, diacetin offered the smoothest surface of the cast films, and it displayed greatest water vapor transmission coefficient. Free RL and RS films with diacetin also exhibited greatest erosion compared with the other three plasticizers. On the other hand, TEC, DEP and DBS showed greater water absorption. When compared with CA-coated gliclazide PPOP, Eudragit-coated ones showed a f(2) factor of 71.7, indicating the similarity between the release profile of the two formulations. The prepared Eudragit-coated gliclazide PPOP showed typical Zero-order release characteristics, with R being 0.9953. In the in vivo evaluation, the mean relative oral bioavailability of Eudragit-coated PPOP compared to CA-coated ones was 106.9%, demonstrating good bioequivalence. Both of their in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) showed linear relationship, with R(2) being 0.9955 (Eudragit-coated PPOP) and 0.9987 (CA-coated PPOP), respectively. These results suggested that PPOP coated with Eudragit(®) RL 30D and RS 30D could overcome drawbacks of organic solution coating and promote the development of PPOP.

[Anti-tumor activity of folate receptor targeting docetaxel-loaded membrane-modified liposomes].

The anti-tumor activity of folate receptor targeting docetaxel-loaded membrane-modified liposomes (FA-PDCT-L) was investigated in vitro and in vivo. FA-PDCT-L was prepared by organic solvent injection method. Transmission electron microscope, dynamic light scattering and electrophoretic light scattering were employed to study the physicochemical parameters of FA-PDCT-L. The inhibitory effects of docetaxel injection (DCT-I), non-modified DCT liposomes (DCT-L) and FA-PDCT-L on the growth of MCF-7 and A-549 cells at different incubation times were detected by CCK-8 assay; and the hemolytic test was employed in vitro. Tumor mice were randomized into 4 groups: DCT-I, DCT-L, FA-PDCT-L and control group (normal saline), and given drugs at 10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) through tail vein. The tumor volume, mice weight, inhibition rate of tumor and life span were measured at the end of experiments. The IC50 of the FA-PDCT-L for MCF-7 and A549 cell lines were significantly lower than that of DCT-I and DCT-L, without hemolysis reaction observed. Compared with control group, the weights of tumor in DCT-I, DCT-L and FA-PDCT-L were decreased, especially for FA-PDCT-L, with inhibitory rates at 79.03 % (P < 0.05). The life span and median survival time of FA-PDCT-L treated mice were significantly higher than that of DCT-I and DCT-L. In conclusion, FA-PDCT-L shows a good anti-tumor activity, indicating that it is potential carriers for DCT in the treatment of tumor.

Preparation and characterization of 5-fluorouracil pH-sensitive niosome and its tumor-targeted evaluation: in vitro and in vivo.

The purpose of this study was to investigate preparation, characterization and tumor-targeted effect of pH-sensitive niosomes, composed of a nonionic surfactant mixed with cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHEMS), a derivative of cholesterol (CHOL), as a pH-sensitive molecule. CHEMS was synthesized with CHOL and succinic acid, the structure of which was analyzed by Mass spectrometry (MS) and ¹H Nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectrum. Niosomes were prepared via film hydration-probe ultrasound method. Both normal niosomes and pH-sensitive niosomes showed spherical morphology under transmission electron microscope (TEM) with a average particle sizes of 172 ± 6.2 nm and 153 ± 4.7 nm, respectively. The thermotropic behavior, structure changes and interaction of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) with other materials were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the disappearance of the melting peak of drug revealed the fact that drug was encapsulated in niosomes. Bulk-equilibrium reverse-dialysis method was chosen to investigate the behavior of drug release from normal niosomes and pH-sensitive niosomes in different pH medium, and the results showed that the noisome containing CHEMS had a pH-sensitive property. Tumor-targeted effect was proved by the fact that pH-sensitive niosomes showed a remarkable high concentration in tumor site of the mice transplanted with tumor cell.

[Preparation and in vitro properties of folate receptor targeting docetaxel-loaded amphiphilic copolymer-modified liposomes].

A novel amphiphilic copolymer, folate-poly (PEG-cyanoacrylate-co-cholesteryl cyanoacrylate) (FA-PEG-PCHL) was synthesized as liposomal modifying material with folate receptor targeting and long circulating property. FA-PEG-PCHL-modified docetaxel-loaded liposomes (FA-PDCT-L) were prepared by organic solvent injection method, and the system was optimized using central composite design-response surface methodology. The structure of the FA-PEG-PCHL copolymer was confirmed by FT-IR and 1H NMR. Ultrafiltration technique, transmission electron microscope, dynamic light scattering and electrophoretic light scattering, and fluorescence polarization method were used to study the physicochemical parameters of FA-PDCT-L. FA-PDCT-L showed spherical or ellipsoid shape. The mean particle sizes were in the range of 111.6-126.9 nm, zeta potentials were from -6.54 mV to -14.13 mV and the drug encapsulation efficiency achieved 97.8%. The observed values agreed well with model predicted values. The membrane fluidity increased with the increment of the molecular weight of PEG and the decrement of the amount of FA-PEG-PCHL. The in vitro release test showed that the drug could be sustained-released from liposomes without a burst release and with stability for 6 months. After 24 h only 31.1%, 27.2% and 19.5% of encapsulated docetaxel were released for FA-PDCT10000-L, FA-PDCT4000-L and FA-PDCT2000-L, respectively. This work is useful for further research on the application of the synthesized copolymer-modified long circulating liposomes for cancer therapy.

[Comparison of the characteristics of several polymer materials used in hydrophilic matrix tablets].

Pure and drug hydrophilic matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method with theophylline as a model drug. The characteristics of four hydrophilic matrix polymers, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), polyethylene oxide (PEO), sodium alginate (NaAlg) and xanthan gum (XG), were compared by investigating the water absorption, swelling, erosion and gel layer strength. The sequence of water absorption rate was XG >> NaAlg (H) > PEO > NaAlg (L) >> HPMC; The sequence of swelling index was XG >> PEO >> HPMC >> NaAlg; The sequence of erosion rate was NaAlg (L) > NaAlg (H) >> PEO80 > PEO200 > PEO300 > XG approximately PEO400 approximately K4M > K15M > PEO600 approximately K100M; The sequence of the gel layer strength was PEO > HPMC > XG >> NaAlg. For the PEO and HPMC matrix tablets, with the polymer molecular weight increased, the drug release mechanism was gradually transferred from mainly depending on the erosion to the diffusion; for SAL matrix tablets, the drug release mainly depends on erosion mechanism; and for XG matrix tablets, the drug release mainly depends on non-Fick diffusion mechanism. Comparison of the performance difference between the polymer materials will contribute to rational design and prediction of drug release behaviors from matrix tables and ultimately to achieve clinical needs.

[Optimization of a floating osmotic pump system of dipyridamole using central composite design-response surface methodology].

A new type of floating osmotic pump of dipyridamole was designed in this paper. Apparatus three (Chinese Pharmacopeia 2005, appendix XD) was employed for in vitro dissolution test in order to evaluate the release and floating behavior in a same experiment. The system was optimized using central composite design-response surface methodology; where similarity factor (f2) between the dissolution profile of prepared formulation and the target dissolution profile was taken as dependent factor, usage amount of polyoxyethylene (X1, mg), NaCl (X2, mg) and pore former (PEG4000, X3, %) were taken as independent factors. The optimization model was f2 = -29.3 + 2.35X3 - 0.123X1(2) - 0.046X2(2) + 0.145X1X2 (R = 0.996). It was found that the dissolution profile could match the target dissolution profile under the condition of weight gain 8%-9%, X1 (20-34), X2 (30-57), X3 = 50. It is also found that the minimum usage percentage of pore former is 35.1%. The prediction results of the optimization model were good in the experiments.

Pluronic F127-g-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers as in situ gelling vehicle for ophthalmic drug delivery system.

To prolong the precorneal resident time and improve ocular bioavailability of the drug, Pluronic F127-g-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers were studied as in situ gelling vehicle for ophthalmic drug delivery system. The rheological properties and in vitro drug release of Pluronic-g-PAA copolymer gels were investigated. The rheogram and in vitro drug release studies indicated that the drug release rates decreased as acrylic acid/Pluronic molar ratio and copolymer solution concentration increased. But the drug concentration had no obvious effect on drug release. The release rates of the drug from such copolymer gels were mainly dependent on the gel dissolution. In vivo resident experiments showed the drug resident time and the total resident amount in rabbit's conjunctiveal sac increased by 5.0 and 2.6 folds for in situ gel, compared with eye drops. The decreased loss angle at body temperature and prolonged precorneal resident time also indicated that the copolymer gels had bioadhesive properties. These in vivo experimental results, along with the rheological properties and in vitro drug release studies, demonstrated that in situ gels containing Pluronic-g-PAA copolymer may significantly prolong the drug resident time and thus improve bioavailability. Pluronic-g-PAA copolymer can be a promising in situ gelling vehicle for ophthalmic drug delivery system.

A controlled-release ocular delivery system for ibuprofen based on nanostructured lipid carriers.

The objective of this study was to develop an ocular drug delivery system based on nanostructured lipid carrier and investigate its in vitro and in vivo characteristics. Ibuprofen was chosen as the model drug. Four different formulations of ibuprofen nanostructured lipid carriers were prepared by melted-ultrasonic methods; gelucire 44/14 was screened as one of the solid lipid matrix materials due to the good particle size dispersion and excellent contribution to the corneal permeability of the model drug. The modified Franz-type diffusion cells and isolated corneas were used in the test of drug corneal permeability and the in vivo releasing tests were carried out using microdialysis method. gelucire 44/14 and transcutol P could enhance the corneal permeability by different mechanisms. The corresponding apparent permeability coefficients (P(app)) were 1.28 and 1.36 times more than that of the control preparation. Stearylamine could prolong the pre-cornea retention time of the model drug to some extent. Ibuprofen nanostructured lipid carriers displayed controlled-release property. The AUC of the optimized formulation of ibuprofen nanostuctured lipid carriers was 3.99 times more than that of ibuprofen eye drops).

[Effects of in vitro conditions on release behavior of different types of sustained and controlled release formulations of breviscapin].

Insoluble breviscapin was chosen as the model drug. Bi-layer osmotic pump technology and gel matrix technology were used to prepare the breviscapin sustained and controlled release preparations. Dissimilarity factors (f1) and similarity factors (f2) were applied as similar judgment index to compare the effects of in vitro conditions on the release behavior of different types of breviscapin sustained and controlled release preparations. The tolerance of in vitro release conditions of bi-layer osmotic pump technology and gel matrix technology were studied. The results showed that in vitro release conditions have a greater impact on the gel matrix sustained release formulations, while have almost no effects on the osmotic pump controlled release formulations. Therefore, osmotic pump controlled release technology is less affected by the drug release environment. And it has a very good application prospect.

[Optimization of a novel mucoadhesive drug deliver system with ion-exchange resin core loaded with berberine hydrochloride using central composite design methodology].

A novel mucoadhesive microcapsule with drug-resin complex core loaded with berberine hydrochloride (BH) was developed and optimized. Drug-ion exchange resin (IER) complex was prepared by static method which stirring IER in drug solution at certain conditions. The influences of different IERs, different temperature, pH values and concentrations of drug solution on the drug loading were investigated. IER complex was coated by emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The coating fluid formulation was optimized using central composite design-response surface methodology, where the ratio between Carbopol 934 and IER (X1), the ratio between Eudragit and IER (X2) and the ratio between Eudragit RL and RS (X3) were taken as independent variables. Time of cumulative release 85% (Y1) and percentage of gastric retention (Y2) were taken as response variables. Drug loading achieved a high level and more drug available in the condition of IER (IRP 88), 37 degrees C, pH 5 and 1.0 mg x mL(-1) drug solution. When X1 = 0.75, X2 = 0.9, X3 = 0.6, the time of cumulative release reached 85% at 300 min, the highest percentage of gastric retention in the range of this experiment were procured.

[Design and in vitro evaluation of self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems for piroxicam].

Self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) were developed to overcome the problems of delivery and administration of piroxicam, a drug with low bioavailability and gastrointestinal irritation, The in vitro properties of it were assessed. The solubility of piroxicam in several oils and surfactants was determined, and the compatibility of various oils and surfactants was investigated. Ternary phase diagrams were constructed to optimal area of microemulsion, and the influence of different oily phases, surfactants and co-surfactants was studied. The droplet size and dissolution of optimal formulation were determined to prove that the dosage form is a useful delivery system for piroxicam. In the optimized piroxicam SMEDDS, cinnamic alcohol was selected that gave the maximal solubility to piroxicam. Labrafil M 1944CS, Cremophor EL and Transcotol P were used as oils, surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. Droplet size and distribution of three piroxicam SMEDDS formulations were (32.2 +/- 5.0), (40.1 +/- 6.4), (81.9 +/- 12.2) nm individually. And the releasing of piroxicam was rapid and complete. The optimized SMEDDS for piroxicam was obtained.

[Preparation of PEG-modified nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with hydroxycamptothecin and tissue distribution in mice].

Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) loaded PEG modified nanostructured lipid carriers (HCPT-PEG-NLC) and nanostructured lipid carriers (HCPT-NLC) were prepared by melt emulsification and homogenization method. The morphology, particle size and encapsulation efficiency of them were investigated. HCPT concentrations in plasma, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and ovary were determined after iv of HCPT injection, HCPT-PEG-NLC and HCPT-NLC in mice. The targeting indexes of HCPT-PEG-NLC and HCPT-NLC were calculated. The transmission electron microscope imaging showed that HCPT-PEG-NLC and HCPT-NLC exhibited a spherical shape. The particle sizes of them were (88.6 +/- 22.5) and (127.2 +/- 43.4) nm. The encapsulation efficiency were (90.51 +/- 3.29)% and (84.37 +/- 2.81)%, respectively. After iv injection into the tail vein of mice, HCPT plasma concentrations of HCPT-PEG-NLC and HCPT-NLC were higher than that of HCPT injection at each sampling time. They also showed longer elimination time in every tissue. HCPT-NLC accumulated in endothelial system (RES), Re and Ce of it in liver and spleen were significantly higher than HCPT-PEG-NLC. HPCT-PEG-NLC prolonged circulation time and increased bioavailability of HCPT. MRT and AUC0-24 h of it were 19.80 and 17.02 times higher than those of HCPT injection. It also significantly reduced phagocytosis of RES, and showed lung targeting effect (Re and Ce were 14.51 and 41.35). To summarize, HCPT-PEG-NLC could prolong the circulation time of HCPT in vivo, and had the lung targeting effect. It was a promising carrier to increase therapeutic effect of HCPT in treating lung cancer.

Novel osmotic pump tablet using core of drug-resin complexes for time-controlled delivery system.

A novel elementary osmotic pump tablet was developed. The system uses the core of drug-resin complexes (DRCs) loaded with propranolol hydrochloride (PNH) for time-controlled delivery. In traditional osmotic pump tablets (OPTs), the lag time was always minimized. However, in the DRCs osmotic pump tablet (DRCOPT), the lag time was increased to achieve the time-controlled delivery. The quantity of osmotic agent in the core and channeling agent in the coating solution as well as weight gain were confirmed to be essential for the release behavior. A spherical symmetric design was applied to the optimization of the DRCOPT. The optimal formulation mainly consisted of DRC 100 mg, polyethyleneoxide (N80) 182 mg, and NaCl 30 mg. The ratio of cellulose acetate (CA)/polyethylene glycol 4000 was 15:3 (w/w) in coating solution, and the weight gain was 8%. The release behavior of the optimal DRCOPT was evaluated in media with different pH, rotation speeds, and ionic strength. It was found to generate a 2-h lag time, to deliver PNH at a rate of zero order from 2 h to 14 h in the medium of NaCl 0.15 mol/l, and the cumulative release at 24 h was 94%. Drug relee was independent of pH and rotation speed, but was proportional to ionic strength. In summary, the lag time could be used in therapeutic regimens with the characteristics of chronotherapy because of the lag time and provides a new concept for the development of osmotic pumps.

Chitosan-based controlled porosity osmotic pump for colon-specific delivery system: screening of formulation variables and in vitro investigation.

A microbially triggered colon-targeted osmotic pump (MTCT-OP) has been studied. The gelable property at acid condition and colon-specific biodegradation of chitosan were used to: (1) produce the osmotic pressure, (2) form the drug suspension and (3) form the in situ delivery pores for colon-specific drug release, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study and the calculation of membrane permeability were applied to elucidate the mechanism of MTCT-OP. The effects of different formulation variables, including the level of pH-regulating excipient (citric acid) and the amount of chitosan in the core, the weight gain of semipermeable membrane and enteric-coating membrane, and the level of pore former (chitosan) in the semipermeable membrane, have been studied. Results of SEM showed that the in situ delivery pores could be formed in predetermined time after coming into contact with dissolution medium, and the number of pore was dependent on the initial level of pore former in the membrane. The amount of budesonide release was directly proportional to the initial level of pore former, but inversely related to the weight of semipermeable membrane. The effects of variations in the level of citric acid and chitosan in the core formulation on drug release were studied. The different levels of enteric-coating membrane could prevent cellulose acetate membrane (containing chitosan as pore former) from forming pore or rupture before contact with simulated colonic fluid, but had no effect on the drug release. Budesonide release from the developed formulation was inversely proportional to the osmotic pressure of the release medium, confirming that osmotic pumping was the major mechanism of drug release. These results showed that MTCT-OP based on osmotic technology and microbially triggered mechanism had a high potential for colon-specific drug delivery.

Application of a novel approach to prepare biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic acid microspheres: surface liquid spraying.

A novel approach which had foreground of industrialization, surface liquid spraying, was studied in this paper to prepare biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres for controlled release drug delivery system. To compare with the normal methods, the microspheres prepared by this approach were characterized by particle size distribution and photograph of microscope. The relationship between the particle size and the instrument parameters of novel method was set up for the first time. The central composite design (CCD) was applied to study the main effects and interactions of three instrument factors on preparation of microspheres. The particle size of microspheres was below 200 mum and the shape of microspheres was spherical in nature evidenced by microscope photographs. Vinpocetine was used as the model drug to prepare the vinpocetine PLGA microspheres (VIN-PLGA-MS), and then drug loading, entrapment efficiency, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and in vitro drug release behavior were examined. The results indicated that the drug loading and entrapment efficiency were increased using the novel method. The drug released slowly more than 30 days. The release behavior was fit for four kinds of kinetic model. The result indicated that release behavior was fitted by Zero-order kinetic model before release 72 hours, and was fitted with First-order kinetic model after release 72 hours. The novel method developed in our paper can give a promising way for industrialization, and the foreground was also proved by the scale-up batch experiment.

[The erosion behaviour of matrix tablets using polyethylene oxide matrices as hydrophilic polymer].

AIM: To study the erosion behaviour during dissolution of matrices using different molecular weight polyethylene oxide (PEO) as hydrophilic polymer. METHODS: PEO hydrophilic matrix tablets with no added drug and excipients were prepared by direct compression method. The erosion rates of matrices comprised of pure or blending PEO polymers were evaluated in distilled water at (37 +/- 0.5) degrees C with rotating rate of 50 r x min(-1). The relationship between PEO molecular weight and erosion rate of matrices was investigated by experimental and mathematical model methods. RESULTS: The gravimetric erosion experimental results indicated that the power-law relationship which relates the polymer erosion rate and weight average molecular weight: k infinity (M(w)) -1.30 4 was proved to have great potential utility in predicting the degree of polymer erosion of matrices comprised of either intermediate molecular weight (97. 98 x 10(4) - 553. 36 x 10(4)) or blends of lower and higher molecular weight polymers. Based on the semiempirical equation for mass transfer rate: Jp = (fp < Dp > (2/3) v (-1/6) omega (1/2)) C(p,dis), a theoretical mathematic model was developed for describing the relationship between PEO erosion rate and PEO weight average molecular weight: Jp infinity M(-1.241), where the exponent of -1. 241 was very close to the exponent of - 1. 130 4 obtained from practical determination. CONCLUSION: PEO was proved to be a good candidate of hydrophilic polymer and appeared to have great potential for controlled release applications. The mathematic model presented together with the utilization of the erosion behaviour discussed in our study could provide a guide line to predict the degree of polymer erosion for other intermediate polymer grades and / or mixture of the polymers utilized in this study, which could play an active role in designing PEO hydrophilic sustained delivery systems.

Topical delivery of different acyclovir palmitate liposome formulations through rat skin in vitro.

The objective of this investigation was to examine the permeation of acyclovir palmitate from various liposome formulations through hairless rat skin in vitro. The penetrated amount, permeability and intradermal retention of ACV-C16 were compared among various lipid compositions and different vesicle charges. We found that all of the liposome formulations resulted in higher flux and permeability of ACV-C16 than a common ointment form. The 'skin lipid' liposome provided the most effective transdermal delivery of incorporated ACV-C16. Presence or absence of cholesterol in the lipid bilayers did not reveal any difference in transdermal delivery of the associated ACV-C16. Intradermal retention of ACV-C16 from positive liposomes was significantly higher than that from other formulations. These findings suggested that liposomes itself might not penetrate through the skin, but enhance the transfer of incorporated ACV-C16. Liposomal lipid composition was the most important factor affecting the efficiency of transdermal delivery of incorporated drugs, but was not correlated with its phase transition temperature.

[Optimization of microemulsion containing vinpocetine and its physicochemical properties].

AIM: To prepare the microemulsion of vinpocetine in order to increase solubility and its in vitro transdermal delivery by using appropriate proportion of oil, surfactant (S), cosurfactant (CoS) and water. The formulation of proportion was optimized. The physicochemical properties and the skin irritation of the microemulsion was studied. METHODS: Pseudo-tertiary phase diagrams were prepared to obtain the concentration ratio of components of the microemulsion. Using simplex lattice method, the formulation of microemulsion was optimized and the physicochemical properties including pH, viscosity, refractive index, conductivity and particle size distribution were examined. The MTT method was applied to test the skin irritation of the microemulsion on the Hacat cell. RESULTS: The diagrams showed that the areas of O/W microemulsion increased with the increasing ratio of surfactant to cosurfactant (S/CoS). The predicted values from simplex lattice system were close to that of the experiment. The property of optimized microemulsion showed to be stable behavior and not irritant to Hacat cell. CONCLUSION: The drug solubility and in vitro perscutaneous permeation flux of the optimized microemulsion was improved significantly and the irritation study showed that optimized microemulsion was safe as an ideal transdermal delivery system.

Further investigation of nanostructured lipid carriers as an ocular delivery system: in vivo transcorneal mechanism and in vitro release study.

This study was designed to provide further understanding of transcorneal mechanism of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC). NLC labeled with fluorescent marker rhodamine B or coumarin-6 were produced by a melt emulsification method. By confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), the interaction of NLC with corneal epithelia was traced and evaluated in rabbits in vivo. Thermal stability of the markers and the amorphous state were detected using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The labeled NLC were characterized to be solid spherical in shape with an average diameter of 70 nm and zeta potential of -8 mV by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, respectively. CLSM results demonstrated NLC were not directly internalized by corneal epithelia, whereas the markers themselves transferred from NLC to corneal epithelia with subsequent staining of intracellular lipophilic compartments. Furthermore, the in vitro release study using liposome dispersions as mimic biomembranes demonstrated an efficient transfer of fluorescence marker into the liposomes. This implied the deceptive particle uptake was due to a collision-induced process, during which the rapid transfer of fluorescence marker occurred by forming a complex between the nanoparticles and the biomembranes. Thus, these evidences provide further insights into NLC as an ocular delivery system.

Low molecular weight chitosan-coated liposomes for ocular drug delivery: in vitro and in vivo studies.

In this study, low molecular weight chitosan coated liposomes (LCHL) were designed and prepared for ocular drug delivery, the coating mechanism was studied, and in vitro and in vivo characterization was conducted. The effects of molecular weight and concentration of low molecular weight chitosan on the liposomal coating were studied. The numeric relations between coating variables and coating efficiency were established using a mathematical model. Morphology of LCHL was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxicity and cell internalization of FITC-BSA labeled LCHL in a rabbit conjunctival epithelium (RCE) cell line were studied. Cyclosporin A (CsA) was encapsulated as a model drug, and in vitro drug release and in vivo drug absorption were investigated. LCHL demonstrated low toxicity to RCE cells. In vitro drug release measurement showed that LCHL had a delayed release profile compared with non-coated liposomes. In vivo study in rabbits showed that the concentrations of CsA in cornea, conjunctiva, and sclera were remarkably increased by LCHL. In conclusion, LCHL might be a potential ocular drug carrier with characteristics such as prolonged drug retention, enhanced drug permeation, and biocompatibility.