Hp--CD-VoriconazoleIn SituGelling System for Ocular Drug Delivery:In Vitro, Stability, and Antifungal Activities Assessment

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to design ophthalmic delivery systems based on polymeric carriers that undergo sol-to-gel transition upon change in temperature or in the presence of cations so as to prolong the effect of HP-β-CD Voriconazole (VCZ)in situgelling formulations. Thein situgelling formulations of Voriconazole were prepared by using pluronic F-127 (PF-127) or with combination of pluronic F-68 (PF-68) and sodium alginate by cold method technique. The prepared formulations were evaluated for their physical appearance, drug content, gelation temperature (),in vitropermeation studies, rheological properties, mucoadhesion studies, antifungal studies, and stability studies. All batches ofin situformulations had satisfactory pH ranging from 6.8 to 7.4, drug content between 95% and 100%, showing uniform distribution of drug. As the concentration of each polymeric component was increased, that is, PF-68 and sodium alginate, there was a decrease in with increase in viscosity and mucoadhesive strength. Thein vitrodrug release decreased with increase in polymeric concentrations. The stability data concluded that all formulations showed the low degradation and maximum shelf life of 2 years. The antifungal efficiency of the selected formulation againstCandida albicansandAsperigillus fumigatusconfirmed that designed formulation has prolonged effect and retained its properties against fungal infection.