title: Effect of a novel mucoadhesive polysaccharide obtained from tamarind seeds on the intraocular penetration of gentamicin and ofloxacin in rabbits.
abstract: This report describes the efficacy of a novel mucoadhesive polymer, the tamarind seed polysaccharide, as a delivery system for the ocular administration of hydrophilic and hydrophobic antibiotics. Healthy rabbits were subjected to repeated ocular instillations with either conventional gentamicin or ofloxacin or these agents viscosified with the tamarind seed polysaccharide. Administration of viscosified preparations produced antibiotic concentrations both in the aqueous humour and cornea that were significantly higher than those achieved with the drugs alone. The increased drug absorption and the prolonged drug elimination phase obtained with the viscosified formulations indicate the usefulness of the tamarind seed polysaccharide as an ophthalmic delivery system for topical administration of antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Patologia Sperimentale, Biotecnologie Mediche, Infettivologia ed Epidemiologia, Università degli Studi di Pisa, Pisa, Italy. ghelardi@biomed.unipi.it
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ghelardi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavanti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Celandroni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lupetti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blandizzi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boldrini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Senesi
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D004347:Drug Interactions; D015817:Eye Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011817:Rabbits; D012639:Seeds / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D015242:Ofloxacin