title: Crosslinked soy protein films and their application as ophthalmic drug delivery system.
abstract: In this research, the potential of soy protein (SPI) based-films as drug delivery devices for ocular therapy was developed. Hence, crosslinked films with a natural and non-cytotoxic crosslinking agent, genipin (Gen), coated with poly(lactic acid) (PLA), were prepared. Filmogenic solutions were loaded with timolol maleate (TM) as a model drug, to be used as drug delivery devices, a novel application for this material. The mechanical properties of the films were studied, observing that with the presence of PLA coating, more rigid materials with improved properties were obtained. Furthermore, the release behavior of TM was evaluated in aqueous medium, it being influenced by the degree of film crosslinking. Furthermore, it was determined that PLA coating decreased TM release rate compared to that of uncoated films. Similarly, this behavior was observed via indirect estimation of the release by assessing the hypotensive effectiveness of the films by in-vivo assays. Through intraocular pressure (IOP) determination tests in rabbits, it was demonstrated that, through the use of high crosslinked and coated films, a significant decrease in IOP could be achieved for prolonged time periods. These results suggest that the use of soy protein-based films as drug delivery systems is highly suitable.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV), CONICET and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Medina Allende y Haya de la Torre,Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, X5000HUA, Argentina. Electronic address: agustingonzalez24@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica (UNITEFA), CONICET and Departamento de Farmacia, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Medina Allende y Haya de la Torre,Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, X5000HUA, Argentina. Electronic address: i.tartara@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Luis I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Tártara
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica (UNITEFA), CONICET and Departamento de Farmacia, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Medina Allende y Haya de la Torre,Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, X5000HUA, Argentina. Electronic address: sdpalma@fcq.unc.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Santiago D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.affiliation: Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV), CONICET and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Medina Allende y Haya de la Torre,Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, X5000HUA, Argentina. Electronic address: cia@fcq.unc.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Cecilia I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Alvarez Igarzabal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D004058:Diffusion; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D013999:Timolol
keywords: Crosslinked films; Ophthalmic drug delivery; Soy protein; Timolol maleate