title: Sustained ophthalmic delivery of ofloxacin from an ion-activated in situ gelling system.
abstract: The poor bioavailability and therapeutic response exhibited by conventional ophthalmic solutions due to rapid pre-corneal elimination of the drug may be overcome by the use of in situ gel forming systems that are instilled as drops into the eye and then undergo a sol-gel transition in the cul-de-sac. The present work describes the formulation and evaluation of an ophthalmic delivery system of an antibacterial agent ofloxacin, based on the concept of ion-activated in situ gelation. Sodium alginate was used as the gelling agent in combination with HPC (Hydroxy Propyl Cellulose) that acted as a viscosity-enhancing agent. In vitro release studies indicated that the alginate/HPC solution retained the drug better than the alginate or HPC solutions alone. The formulations were therapeutically efficacious, sterile, stable and provided sustained release of the drug over a period of time. These results demonstrate that the developed system is an alternative to conventional ophthalmic drops, patient compliance, industrially oriented and economical.
authors.affiliation: M.S Ramaiah College of Pharmacy, Bangalore-560054, India.
authors.forename: Sindhu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Furtado
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bharath
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Basavaraj
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deveswaran
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Madhavan