Customized cationic nanoemulsions loading triamcinolone acetonide for corneal neovascularization secondary to inflammatory processes.

Customized cationic oil-in-water nanoemulsions (NEs) have been produced to improve the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, such as triamcinolone acetonide (TA). TA is a synthetic glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic therapeutic properties and it is widely used as an effective treatment in ocular disorders. In this work, TA-NEs were characterized using two different custom-made cationic surfactants, showing a high positive surface charge favouring corneal penetration and a particle size below 300 nm. Both TA-NE formulations demonstrated to be stable at 4 °C during the first months of storage. Furthermore, TA-NEs were able to produce antiangiogenic effects in chicken membranes. The TA-NEs safety profile was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo ocular tolerance tests. Out of the two formulations, the one showing no irritant effects was screened in vivo demonstrating capacity to ameliorate ocular inflammation in New Zealand rabbits significantly, specially to reduce the risk of ocular inflammation processes, with antiangiogenic activity, and can therefore be exploited as a suitable formulation to avoid inflammatory reactions upon ocular surgical procedures, such as cataracts.

Lipid Nanoparticles as Carriers for the Treatment of Neurodegeneration Associated with Alzheimer's Disease and Glaucoma: Present and Future Challenges.

Glaucoma constitutes the second cause of blindness worldwide and it is considered a neurodegenerative disorder. In this sense, Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia, also causes neurodegeneration. The association between both diseases remains unknown although it has been hypothesised that a possible connection might exist and it will be analysed throughout the review. In this sense, nanoparticulate systems and specially, lipid nanoparticles could be the key for effective neuroprotection. Lipid nanoparticles are the most recent type of drug nanoparticulate systems. These nanoparticles have shown great potential to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs increasing their bioavailability and being able to deliver them to the target tissue. In addition, they have shown great potential for ocular drug delivery. This review explores the most recent strategies employing lipid nanoparticles for AD and glaucoma.