title: Nanocrystal for ocular drug delivery: hope or hype.
abstract: The complexity of the structure and nature of the eye emanates a challenge for drug delivery to formulation scientists. Lower bioavailability concern of conventional ocular formulation provokes the interest of researchers in the development of novel drug delivery system. Nanotechnology-based formulations have been extensively investigated and found propitious in improving bioavailability of drugs by overcoming ocular barriers prevailing in the eye. The advent of nanocrystals helped in combating the problem of poorly soluble drugs specifically for oral and parenteral drug delivery and led to development of various marketed products. Nanocrystal-based formulations explored for ocular drug delivery have been found successful in achieving increase in retention time, bioavailability, and permeability of drugs across the corneal and conjunctival epithelium. In this review, we have highlighted the ocular physiology and barriers in drug delivery. A comparative analysis of various nanotechnology-based ocular formulations is done with their pros and cons. Consideration is also given to various methods of preparation of nanocrystals with their patented technology. This article highlights the success achieved in conquering various challenges of ocular delivery by the use of nanocrystals while emphasizing on its advantages and application for ocular formulation. The perspectives of nanocrystals as an emerging flipside to explore the frontiers of ocular drug delivery are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 382 481, India.
authors.forename: Om Prakash
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 382 481, India.
authors.forename: Viral
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 382 481, India. tjshah3@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tejal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D060433:Administration, Ophthalmic; D001682:Biological Availability; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Bioavailability; Corneal permeation; Drug delivery; Drug nanocrystal; Nanotechnology; Ocular; Poorly soluble drugs