A mucoadhesive polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles were developed for ocular moxifloxacin (Mox) delivery in Bacterial Keratitis (BK). Moxifloxacin-loaded G/CG-Alg NPs were prepared by an amalgamation of cationic polymers (gelatin (G)/cationized gelatin (CG)), and anionic polymer (sodium alginate (Alg)) along with Mox respectively. Mox@CG-Alg NPs were characterized for physicochemical parameters such as particle size (DLS technique), morphology (SEM analysis), DSC, XRD, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, mucoadhesive study (by texture analyzer), mucin turbidity, and viscosity assessment. The NPs uptake and toxicity of the formulation were analyzed in the Human Corneal Epithelial (HCE) cell line and an ocular irritation study was performed on the HET-CAM. The results indicated that the CG-Alg NPs, with optimal size (217.2 ± 4 nm) and polydispersity (0.22 ± 0.05), have shown high cellular uptake in monolayer and spheroids of HCE. The drug-loaded formulation displayed mucoadhesiveness, trans-corneal permeation, and sustained the release of the Mox. The anti-bacterial efficacy studied on planktonic bacteria/biofilms of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus (in vitro) indicated that the Mox@CG-Alg NPs displayed low MIC, higher zone of bacterial growth inhibition, and cell death compared to free Mox. A significant reduction of bacterial load was observed in the BK-induced mouse model.
Keywords: Bacterial keratitis; Cationized gelatin; Moxifloxacin; Polyelectrolyte complex; Sodium alginate.
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