title: Polymeric micelles for ocular drug delivery: From structural frameworks to recent preclinical studies.
abstract: Effective intraocular drug delivery poses a major challenge due to the presence of various elimination mechanisms and physiological barriers that result in low ocular bioavailability after topical application. Over the past decades, polymeric micelles have emerged as one of the most promising drug delivery platforms for the management of ocular diseases affecting the anterior (dry eye syndrome) and posterior (age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma) segments of the eye. Promising preclinical efficacy results from both in-vitro and in-vivo animal studies have led to their steady progression through clinical trials. The mucoadhesive nature of these polymeric micelles results in enhanced contact with the ocular surface while their small size allows better tissue penetration. Most importantly, being highly water soluble, these polymeric micelles generate clear aqueous solutions which allows easy application in the form of eye drops without any vision interference. Enhanced stability, larger cargo capacity, non-toxicity, ease of surface modification and controlled drug release are additional advantages with polymeric micelles. Finally, simple and cost effective fabrication techniques render their industrial acceptance relatively high. This review summarizes structural frameworks, methods of preparation, physicochemical properties, patented inventions and recent advances of these micelles as effective carriers for ocular drug delivery highlighting their performance in preclinical studies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Abhirup
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.affiliation: Buchanan Ocular Therapeutics Unit (BOTU), Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bisht
authors.affiliation: Buchanan Ocular Therapeutics Unit (BOTU), Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ilva D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Rupenthal
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA. Electronic address: mitraa@umkc.edu.
authors.forename: Ashim K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mitra
mesh_terms: D060433:Administration, Ophthalmic; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008823:Micelles; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D008823:Micelles; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers
keywords: Bioavailability; Drug delivery; Dry eye syndrome; Ocular barriers; Ocular drug delivery; Polymeric micelles