Glaucoma treatment using natural based nanoparticles laden albumin modified contact lens
Mojdeh Mohseni1 *, Maryam Sadat Hosseini 2 , Bita Mehravi2
- Iran University of Medical Science
- Iran University of Medical Science
Abstract: Pharmaceutical treatment of glaucoma as a degenerative neuropathy disease using conventional drug formulation (Timolol Maleate) on the ocular surface has some deficiencies of low patient compliance, less bioavailability, and some side effects. Using a modified contact lens with protein to provide the extended drug with optimum dosage for glaucoma treatment would make a promising approach. In this study, with the aim of increase of drug release time, better patient compliance, and low protein adsorption, silicon contact lenses were modified using one-step plasma treatment, and bovine serum albumin (BSA), and also Lauric acid decorated chitosan-alginate nanoparticles were considered as carriers of Timolol.
Methods: The natural polymer was modified using EDC/NHS 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide. For drug encapsulation, Timolol stock was added to the prepared modified-chitosan solution and with the help of pre-gelation and ultrasonic technique, nanoparticles were synthesized. Silicon matrix was mixed with a curing agent (10:1) and the suspension of nanoparticles was added to the precursor and cured. For surface modification of contact lenses, cured structures were exposed to oxygen plasma and socked in albumin solution for 2 h. Different time exposure of (30, 90 and 150 s) and protein concentration (1, 3, 5 (%w/v)) were examined. Physico-chemical features were analyzed and finally, the drug release of diverse formulations was studied.
Results: The morphological study of nanoparticles shows the spherical shape with the size of 50 nm. Among different formulations, a contact lens with 150 s time exposure and 5 (%w/v) albumin concentration has the optimum surface modification. The release study of Lauric acid-chitosan-alginate loaded modified silicon contact lens represents the 3 days of drug release for nanoparticles and 6 days for complete formulation with the efficacy of 90%. The drug model and kinetic study show the Korsmeyer-Peppas model completely supported the release profile. Compared to the control sample (lens without modification), more drug release, stability, and also epithelial cell viability were observed.
Conclusion: This study represents the novel drug delivery system to control intra-ocular pressure as a candidate platform for glaucoma treatment. Improved compatibility, reduced intraocular pressure, and drug release from the designed contact lenses would prepare a new insight into a mentioned disease treatment.
