title: Thermoanalytical characterization of clindamycin-loaded intravitreal implants prepared by hot melt extrusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate a non-destructive fabrication method in for the development of sustained-release poly (L, D-lactic acid)-based biodegradable clindamycin phosphate implants for the treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rod-shaped intravitreal implants with an average length of 5 mm and a diameter of 0.4 mm were evaluated for their physicochemical parameters. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) studies were employed in order to study the characteristics of these formulations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Drug content uniformity test confirmed the uniformity in different implant batches. Furthermore, the DSC, FTIR, and 1H NMR studies proved that the fabrication process did not have any destructive effects either on the drug or on the polymer structures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These studies showed that the developed sustained-release implants could be of interest for long-term sustained intraocular delivery of clindamycin, which can provide better patient compliance and also have good potential in terms of industrial feasibility.
authors: Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Lana
authors: L
authors: Tamaddon
authors: Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Seyed Abolfazl
authors: SA
authors: Mostafavi
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Reza
authors: R
authors: Karkhane
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Riazi-Esfahani
authors: Department of Pharmaceutics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Farid Abedin
authors: FA
authors: Dorkoosh
authors: Department of Pharmaceutics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Morteza
authors: M
authors: Rafiee-Tehrani
keywords: Clindamycin phosphate; D-lactic acid); intravitreal implant; melt extrusion; poly (L