<i>Achyranthis radix</i> Extract-Loaded Eye Drop Formulation Development and Novel Evaluation Method for Dry Eye Treatment

• Main Authors: Sung-Jin Kim, Bongkyun Park, Hyun Wook Huh, Young-Guk Na, Minki Kim, Mingu Han, Hyunmin Lee, Thi Mai Anh Pham, Hong-Ki Lee, Jae-Young Lee, Chan-Sik Kim, Jong-Suep Baek, Cheong-Weon Cho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Pharmaceutics
• Subjects: <i>achyranthis radix</i> extract; eye drop; lubricants; pigmentation; conjunctival epithelial cell
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/12/2/165

Recently, <i>Achyranthis radix</i> extract has been studied as a therapeutic agent for dry eye disease that occurs from fine dust. The aim of this study was the development of <i>Achyranthis radix</i> extract-loaded eye drop formulations using lubricants, generally used for artificial tear eye drops. Ecdysterone was used as a marker compound for <i>Achyranthis radix</i> extract and 1% <i>Achyranthis radix</i> extract solution contained 14.37 &#177; 0.04 &#956;g/mL of ecdysterone. Before formulation studies, a new method was performed to evaluate pigmentation, which might be caused by eye drops of herbal extract. A comparative study of the water retention ability of each formulation and ability to prevent the death of conjunctival epithelial cells in dry conditions was conducted. Moreover, treatment of <i>Achyranthis radix</i> extract (USL) eye drop formulation exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner. The long-term and accelerated stability tests showed that lubricants could contribute to the stability of herbal extracts in solution. In conclusion, hyaluronic acid showed a good effect on the development of eye drop formulation using <i>Achyranthis radix</i> extracts for treating dry eye disease.