Ocular topically applied Vancomycin (VCM) suffers poor bioavailability due to its high molecular weight and hydrophilicity. In the present investigation, VCM-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) were developed aiming to enhance its ocular bioavailability through prolonging its release pattern and ophthalmic residence. PNPs were prepared utilizing double emulsion (W/O/O), solvent evaporation technique. 23×41 full factorial design was applied to evaluate individual and combined influences of polymer type, Eudragit® RS100, sonication time, and Span®80 concentration on PNPs particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and zeta potential. Further, the optimized formulae were incorporated in 1% Carbopol®-based gel. In-vivo evaluation of the optimized formulae was performed via Draize test followed by microbiological susceptibility testing on albino rabbits. Results revealed successful formulation of VCM-loaded PNPs was achieved with particle sizes reaching 155nm and up to 88% encapsulation. Draize test confirmed the optimized formulae as non-irritating and safe for ophthalmic administration. Microbiological susceptibility testing confirmed prolonged residence, higher Cmax. with more than two folds increment in the AUC(0.25-24) of VCM-PNPs over control groups. Thus, VCM-loaded PNPs represent promising carriers with superior achievements for enhanced Vancomycin ophthalmic delivery over the traditional use of commercially available VCM parenteral powder after constitution into a solution by the ophthalmologists.
Keywords: Draize test; Microbiological susceptibility testing; Ocular infection; Poly (d,l-lactide- coglycolide) (PLGA); Polycaprolactone (PCL); Vancomycin.
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