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. 2012;2(2):82-95.
doi: 10.2174/1877912311202020082.

Novel Nanomicellar Formulation Approaches for Anterior and Posterior Segment Ocular Drug Delivery

Kishore Cholkar  1 , Ashaben Patel  1 , Aswani Dutt Vadlapudi  1 , Ashim K Mitra  1
Affiliations

Novel Nanomicellar Formulation Approaches for Anterior and Posterior Segment Ocular Drug Delivery

Kishore Cholkar et al. Recent Pat Nanomed. 2012.

Abstract

One of the most challenging areas of pharmaceutical research is ocular drug delivery. The unique anatomy and physiology of the eye impedes drug permeation to deeper ocular tissues. Nanosized carrier systems such as nanoparticles, liposomes, suspensions, dendrimers, and nanomicelles are being explored for ocular drug delivery. In this review, we have focused on application of emerging nanomicellar carrier systems in ocular drug delivery. Nanomicelles are nanosized vesicular carriers formed from amphiphilic monomer units. Surfactant and polymeric micellar nanocarriers provide an amenable means to improve drug solubilization, develop clear aqueous formulations and deliver drugs to anterior and posterior ocular tissues. Nanomicelles due to their amphiphilic nature encapsulate hydrophobic drugs and aid in drug delivery. Various methods are employed to develop nanosized micellar formulations depending upon the physicochemical properties of the drug. Nanomicellar carriers appear to be promising vehicles with potential applications in ocular drug delivery. In this review, we attempted to discuss about the progress in ocular drug delivery research using nanomicelles as carriers from the published literature and issued patents. Also, with regards to ocular static and dynamic barriers which prevent drug permeation, a brief discussion about nanomicelles, types of nanomicelles, their methods of preparation and micellar strategy to overcome ocular barriers, delivering therapeutic levels of drugs to anterior and posterior ocular tissues are discussed.

Keywords: Barriers; conjunctival/scleral pathway; drug delivery; nanomicelles; nanotechnology; patents; posterior segment; retina-choroid.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS

There is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Structure of human eye.
Fig. (2)
Fig. (2)
Micelle preparation methods: (1) simple dissolution (2) dialysis, (3) oil in water emulsion (4) solvent evaporation and (5) lyophilization or freeze drying.
Fig. (3)
Fig. (3)
Dexamethasone concentrations in rabbit aqueous humour. PHEA-PEG-C16 micellar solutions (•); dexamethasone suspension (□), P < 0.05, Reproduced with permission from Ref [88].
Fig. (4)
Fig. (4)
Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of 0.2% voclosporin loaded in mixed nanomicellar formulation.
Fig. (5)
Fig. (5)
Schematic representation of back of the eye drug delivery for drugs entrapped in mixed nanomicelles (utilization of scleral aqueous pores and evasion of conjunctival/choroidal blood vessels and lymphatics).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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