title: Eudragit microparticles as a possible tool for ophthalmic administration of acyclovir.
abstract: This paper describes the production and characterization of polyacrylic polymer (Eudragit RL, RS and NE) microparticles by spray drying method. Microparticles were designed for ophthalmic administration of acyclovir. Microparticle morphology was characterized by optical and electron microscopy. The release kinetics of the drug from microspheres were determined by a dialysis method. The spray drying method described allows the production of microparticles with acceptable encapsulation efficiency and appropriate dimensional characteristics for ophthalmic administration. Release profile data indicate that acyclovir is released from microparticles in a controlled manner. In addition the release pattern of the drug is influenced by the type of Eudragit used for microparticle production. Moreover the plaque reduction efficiency of acyclovir containing microparticles (except for RS/NE microspheres) is comparable to that displayed by the free drug. Finally our results suggest that acyclovir containing microparticles could represent an interesting system for the release of this antiviral drug at the eye site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara. crt@unife.it
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cortesi
authors.forename: Sara C Lahm
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ajanji
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sivieri
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manservigi
authors.forename: Gheorghe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fundueanu
authors.forename: Enea
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menegatti
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D014709:Vero Cells; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C038300:methylmethacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer; C058665:Eudragit RL; D000212:Acyclovir