Purpose The goal of the present study is to develop a poly (ethylene oxide) N10 (PEO N10) based melt-cast matrix system for efficient and prolonged delivery of hesperetin (HT), a promising bioflavonoid, to the posterior segment of the eye through the topical route. Methods HT film was prepared by melt-cast method using PEO N10 and cut into 4 mm × 2 mm segments, each weighing 8 mg. This film was evaluated with respect to in vitro release rates and also transmembrane delivery across Spectra/Por® membrane (MWCO: 10000 Daltons) and isolated rabbit corneas. Ocular tissue concentrations were also determined post application of the film in ex vivo and in vivo models. Results HT release from the film was determined to be about 95.3 % within 2 h. In vitro transcorneal flux was observed to be 0.58 ± 0.05 μg/min/cm2 across the isolated rabbit cornea. High levels of HT were detected in the retina-choroid (RC) and vitreous humor (VH) in the ex vivo model following topical application of the film. Significant levels of HT were observed in both anterior and posterior segment ocular tissues 1h post topical application of the 10 and 20 %w/w HT films on the rabbit eye. Moreover, HT was detected in the VH and RC even after 6h following topical application of the film in vivo. Conclusion The results from this study suggest that the melt-cast films can serve as a viable platform for sustained topical delivery of bioflavonoids, and other therapeutic agents, into the back-of-the eye tissues.

Purpose The overall goal of this project is to enhance ocular delivery of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) through the topical route. Methods Solubility, stability and in vitro transcorneal permeability of the relatively hydrophilic hemiglutarate ester derivative, THC-HG, was studied in the presence of surfactants. The solutions were characterized with respect to micelle size, zeta potential and solution viscosity. In vivo studies were carried out in New Zealand albino rabbits. A previously reported promising THC-HG ion-pair formulation was also studied in vivo. Results Aqueous solubility and stability and in vitro transcorneal permeability of THCHG was enhanced significantly in the presence of surfactants. THC levels in the ocular tissues (except cornea) were found to be below detection limits from mineral oil, surfactant or emulsion based formulations containing THC. In contrast, micellar and ion pair based THC-HG formulations produced significantly higher total THC concentrations in the anterior ocular chamber. Conclusion In this study, although delivery of THC to the anterior chamber ocular tissues could be significantly increased through the prodrug and formulation approaches tested, further studies are needed to increase penetration to the back-of-the eye.

The purpose of this project is to enhance the trans-membrane penetration of Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) and to study the effect of various lipid based systems in delivering the compound, non-invasively, to anterior and posterior ocular chambers. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), fast gelling films were manufactured using high pressure homogenization and melt cast techniques, respectively. The formulations were characterized for drug content, entrapment efficiency, particle size and subsequently evaluated in vitro for trans-corneal permeation. In vivo, the drug disposition was tested via topical administration in albino rabbits. The eye globes were enucleated at the end of experiment and tissues were analyzed for drug content. All formulations showed favorable physicochemical characteristics in terms of particle size, entrapment efficiency and drug content. In vitro, the formulations exhibited a transcorneal flux that depended on the formulation’s drug load. An increase in drug load from 0.1% – 0.75% resulted in 12 to16-folds increase in permeation. In vivo, the film was able to deliver THC to all the tissues with high accumulations in cornea and sclera. The SLNs showed a greater ability in delivering THC to all the tissues, at a significantly lower drug load, due to their colloidal size range, which in turn enhanced corneal epithelial membrane penetration. The topical formulations evaluated in the present study were able to successfully deliver Δ8-THC in therapeutically meaningful concentrations (EC50 values for CB1: 6nM and CB2: 0.4nM) to all ocular tissues except the vitreous humor, with pronounced tissue penetration achieved using SLNs as a Δ8-THC delivery vehicle.

Cannabinoids are increasingly being used in the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) because of their action on the cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. The currently marketed capsule formulations (sesame oil based and crystalline powder) are required to be administered frequently to maintain therapeutic levels, which leads to non-compliance. In the present study, oral controlled release tablet formulations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were prepared using the lipids Precirol® and Compritrol®. Release profiles using THC-lipid matrices and/or with the lipids in the external phase (blend) were evaluated. The effect of directly compressible diluents lactose mixture (Ludipress®), dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (Emcompress®) and microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel® 102) on tablet characteristics and in vitro drug release was also investigated. Further, in vitro THC release in the presence of a lipase inhibitor, Pluronic® F68, was also studied. A 24 h zero order THC release profile was obtained with a combination of Precirol® and Compritol® in the compression blend. Addition of Pluronic® F68 did not alter THC release in vitro. These optimized tablets were chemically and physically stable for 3 months, the last time point tested, at 25°C/60% RH. The overall results demonstrate the feasibility of preparing oral THC tablets for once a day administration which can improve CINV management.