Formulation and Evaluation of in Situ Ocular Gel for Dry Eye Syndrome

Abstract

Ophthalmic drug delivery must be able to sustained the drug release and to remain in the vicinity in front of the eye for prolong period of time. The topical application of drugs is the method of choice under most circumstance because of its convenience and safety for ophthalmic chemotherapy. To develop the in situ ocular gel of a polymixin B sulphate which release the drug in sustained manner by using high esterified pure pectin, guar gum and hydroxyl propyl methylcellulose. Ocular in situ gel was prepared by dispersion method.In the present research work it can be shown that polymixin B sulphate, an antibacterial agent used in the treatment of dry eye syndrome was successfully formulated as an ion-activated in situ forming ophthalmic solution using pectin, guar gum in combination with HPMC as a viscosity enhancer. The in situ gel was subjected to content uniformity and was found to be between 97% to 98%. The developed formulation is a viable alternative of conventional eye drop due its ability to enhance bioavailability through its longer precorneal residence time and ability to sustain release drug.