Chitosan-based nanostructures: a delivery platform for ocular therapeutics.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology has caused important breakthroughs in different therapeutic areas. In particular, the application of nanotechnology in ophthalmology has led to the development of novel strategies for the treatment of ocular disorders. Indeed, the association of an active molecule to a nanocarrier allows the molecule to intimately interact with specific ocular structures, to overcome ocular barriers and to prolong its residence in the target tissue. Over the last decade, our group has designed and developed a delivery platform based on the polysaccharide chitosan, which suits the requirements of the topical ocular route. These nanosystems have been specifically adapted for the delivery of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and also polynucleotides onto the eye surface. The results collected up until now suggest the potential of this delivery platform and the subsequent need of a full preclinical evaluation in order to satisfy the specific regulatory demands of this mode of administration.
de la Fuente
Maria
M
Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, University of London, The School of Pharmacy, WC11AX London, UK.
Raviña
Manuela
M
Paolicelli
Patrizia
P
Sanchez
Alejandro
A
Seijo
Begoña
B
Alonso
Maria Jose
MJ
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D048271:Chitosan