Acta Pharm. 60 (2010) 349-360

 

full paper

Original research paper

 

Thermoreversible mucoadhesive ophthalmic in situ hydrogel: Design and optimization using a combination of polymers

DIVYESH H. SHASTRI, SHAILESH T. PRAJAPATI and LAXMANBHAI D. PATEL
divyeshshastri@gmail.com

1Department of Pharmaceutics, K. B. Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382023, India

2Department of Pharmaceutics, Shri Sarvajanik Pharmacy College, Mehsana, India -384001

3Director & Professor, C. U. Shah College of Pharmacy & Research, Wadhwan, Gujarat-363030, India

Accepted August 2, 2010

 

The purpose of the study was to develop an optimized thermoreversible in situ gelling ophthalmic drug delivery system based on Pluronic F 127, containing moxifloxacin hydrochloride as a model drug. A 32 full factorial design was employed with two polymers Pluronic F 68 and Gelrite as independent variables used in combination with Pluronic F 127. Gelation temperature, gel strength, bioadhesion force, viscosity and in vitro drug release after 1 and 10 h were selected as dependent variables. Pluronic F 68 loading with Pluronic F 127 was found to have a significant effect on gelation temperature of the formulation and to be of importance for gel formation at temperatures 33-36 ºC. Gelrite loading showed a positive effect on bioadhesion force and gel strength and was also found helpful in controling the release rate of the drug. The quadratic mathematical model developed is applicable to predicting formulations with desired gelation temperature, gel strength, bioadhesion force and drug release properties.

 

Keywords: moxifloxacin hydrochloride, in situ gel, ophthalmic drug delivery, mucoadhesive polymers, 32 full factorial design