Optimization of an ocular formulation for treatment of Glaucoma

Abstract

Nanotechnology is rapidly emerging and is extensively being utilized in the medical purposes. The incorporation of nanotechnology in ophthalmology has resolved some of the drawbacks of the conventional delivery systems. Glaucoma is one of the major causes of blindness worldwide. Different treatments have been widely used for intraocular pressure lowering (IOP) which is the major cause of the glaucoma. Travoprost is one of the promising treatments for glaucoma. Its effect on IOP lowering is achieved by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor from the ocular structures. The aim of this study was to incorporate travoprost in a nanoemulsion system to benefit from its extended ocular residence time and the enhanced bioavailability. The work in this thesis was divided into two chapters Chapter I: Preparation and characterization of Travoprost O/W nanoemulsions: The work in this chapter encompassed the preparation and characterization of different oil in water (O/W) nanoemulsion formulations using a low energy technique; emulsion inversion point (EIP) which is based on phase inversion of the composition of the system from W/O macroemulsion into O/W nanoemulsion. The characterization of the formulations was performed to assess the physical stability and the acceptable formulations were subjected to further characterization. Further characterization was conducted for their particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, pH, refractive index, travoprost's content, invitro cumulative release, and morphology using transmission electron microscope. Accelerated stability study was conducted for the selected formulations through storing them at room temperature 25⁰C for three months and testing their particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and quantitative content assay. The quantitative content assay of Travoprost was conducted using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The effect of sterilization by 86