Mucoadhesive Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to the Anterior Eye

• Main Authors: Nicole Mangiacotte, Graeme Prosperi-Porta, Lina Liu, Megan Dodd, Heather Sheardown
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: Nanomaterials
• Subjects: Nanoparticles; HEMA; dexamethasone; eyedrops; drug release
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/10/7/1400

While the use of topical drops for the delivery of drugs to the anterior of the eye is well accepted, it is far from efficient with as little as 5% of the drug instilled on the eye actually reaching the target tissue. The ability to prolong the residence time on the eye is desirable. Based on the acceptability of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate based polymers in contact lens applications, the current work focuses on the development of a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)) nanoparticle system. The particles were modified to allow for degradation and to permit mucoadhesion. Size and morphological analysis of the final polymer products showed that nano-sized, spherical particles were produced. FTIR spectra demonstrated that the nanoparticles comprised poly(HEMA) and that 3-(acrylamido)phenylboronic acid (3AAPBA), as a mucoadhesive, was successfully incorporated. Degradation of nanoparticles containing N,N′-bis(acryloyl)cystamine (BAC) after incubation with DL-dithiothreitol (DTT) was confirmed by a decrease in turbidity and through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanoparticle mucoadhesion was shown through an in-vitro zeta potential analysis.