Formulation and evaluation of an in situ gel-forming ophthalmic formulation of moxifloxacin hydrochloride.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of the present investigation is to prepare and evaluate in situ gel-forming ophthalmic drug delivery system of moxifloxacin hydrochloride.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Sodium alginate, a novel ophthalmic gel-forming mucoadhesive polymer, which gets converted to gel in the presence of divalent-cations (calcium ion) present in the lachrymal fluid, was used as the gelling agent. Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) is a mucoadhesive polymer used as viscosity enhancer. Suitable concentrations of buffering agents were used to adjust the pH to 6.5. All the formulations were sterilized in an autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes. The formulations were evaluated for clarity, pH measurement, gelling capacity, drug content estimation, rheological study, in vitro diffusion study, antibacterial activity, isotonicity, and eye irritation study.

RESULTS

The developed formulations exhibited sustained release of drug from formulation over a period of 10 hours thus increasing residence time of the drug. The optimized formulations were tested for eye irritation on albino rabbit (male). The formulations were found to be non-irritating with no ocular damage or abnormal clinical signs to the cornea, iris or conjunctiva observed.

CONCLUSION

These in situ gelling systems containing gums may be a valuable alternative to the conventional systems.