Development and Evaluation of Acyclovir Loaded Poly Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid Nanoparticles for Ocular Drug Delivery

Objectives: The objective of present study aim towards promising potential of acyclovir containing Poly Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid based nanoparticles for delivering drug to ocular cavity and could be view as alternative to conventional dosage form. Methods: The acyclovir containing Poly LacticCo-Glycolic Acid based polymeric nanoparticles were prepared by using nanoprecipitation technique and the optimized formulation was evaluated for particle size, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release study, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, redispersibility, swelling index, ex vivo study and stability studies. Results: Among all the developed polymeric Nanoparticle formulations, optimized formulation (F1) showed Zeta Particle size 269 nm, Encapsulation Efficiency 90.1%. In vitro release studies exhibited 98.78% of drug release within 3 hr and ex-vivo studies indicate optimize formulation is nonirritant. Differential Scanning Calorimetry and X-Ray Diffraction indicate the optimized formulation show amorphous form. Scanning Electron Microscopy of optimized formulation show cylindrical in shape and their size was in the nanometer range. In terms of particle size, drug loading performance, redispersibility, in vitro release characteristics, sterility and better ocular tolerability, the formulated acyclovir nanoparticles were found to be a suitable and potential natural carrier. Suitable results have been shown in the stability study of acyclovir from nanoparticles. Conclusion: Therefore, the results concluded that Polymeric Nanoparticle could be considered as ocular delivery system for the prolong residence time of precorneal drug and increase penetration of corneal drug.