World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF OCULAR IN-SITU GEL OF ANTIVIRAL AGENT: ACYCLOVIR

Mitali Kuril*, Revathi A. Gupta and Monika Mann

ABSTRACT

The key objective of the present study was to formulate and evaluate in-situ gelling system based on sol-to-gel transition for ophthalmic delivery of an antiviral agent acyclovir, to overcome the problems of poor bioavailability and therapeutic response exhibited by conventional formulations. Acyclovir is an antiviral agent preferentially used in the treatment of infections caused by herpes simplex virus and highly useful to treat herpes simplex keratitis. The significant problem in the ocular drug delivery is the achievement of optimal drug concentration at the site of action. Development of therapeutic agents which need a repeated long-term administration is a carter for the sustained release drug delivery systems, to result in less frequent dosing and less invasive techniques. Therefore, in- situ gel a novel drug delivery system has been developed to overcome the anatomical barriers and ocular bioavailability constrains. Gellan gum natural polymer was used as the gelling agent and also acted as a viscosity enhancing agent. The prepared formulations were evaluated for pH, viscosity, clarity, drug content, gelling capacity, invitro drug release. The developed in-situ gel provided sustained drug release over a 6 hours period of time. The optimized formulation was found to be nonirritating with no ocular damage to the cornea and conjunctiva. Hence the developed formulation can be used as an in-situ gelling vehicle by virtue of its increased corneal residence time and prolonged drug release could be considered a viable alternative to achieving enhanced bioavailability and helped in the reduction in the frequency of instillation there by resulting in better patient compliance.

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