Manickavasagam Dharani, Wehrung Daniel, Chamsaz Elaheh A, Sanders Matthew, Bouhenni Rachida, Crish Samuel D, Joy Abraham, Oyewumi Moses O
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA.
Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2016 Oct;107:56-66. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.06.012. Epub 2016 Jun 16.
Treatment strategies for glaucoma will benefit from injectable and/or implantable delivery systems that can achieve sustained delivery of neuroprotective agents (to the posterior segment) and/or intraocular pressure lowering drugs (to the anterior segment). In this regard, we have evaluated the suitability of a new polymer (alkoxylphenacyl-based polycarbonates copolymer with polycaprolactone; AP-PCL 20% w/w) as a platform for ocular drug delivery. Brimonidine tartrate (BRT) was applied as a model anti-glaucoma drug. The polymer was applied to develop injectable (nanoparticles) and implantable (microfilms) delivery systems. Nanoparticles fabricated from AP-PCL were stable and have an average size less than 200nm. The AP-PCL microfilms prepared by compression molding showed a gradual hydrolytic in-vitro degradation monitored by water uptake, weight loss, microscopy, DSC and FT-IR measurements. AP-PCL microfilms achieve sustained delivery of BRT for up to 90days. Biocompatibility of AP-PCL-based delivery systems was demonstrated from studies in human trabecular meshwork cell line as well as after intravitreal injections in rats. The overall trend demonstrated that AP-PCL delivery systems may be considered as suitable candidates for prolonged drug delivery in chronic ocular disorders such as glaucoma.
