Nanomedicine for glaucoma : liposomes provide sustained release of latanoprost in the eye

• Main Authors: Natarajan, Jayaganesh V., Ang, Marcus, Darwitan, Anastasia, Chattopadhyay, Sujay, Wong, Tina T., Venkatraman, Subbu S.
• Other Authors: School of Materials Science & Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Medicine
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/106230; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/23966; http://www.dovepress.com/nanomedicine-for-glaucoma-liposomes-provide-sustained-release-of-latan-peer-reviewed-article-IJN
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Purpose: To report the development and therapeutic evaluation of a liposomal nanocarrier for sustained release of latanoprost, in the rabbit eye. Methods: We fabricated latanoprost-loaded egg-phosphatidylcholine (EggPC) liposomes using the film hydration technique. The delivery vehicles were nano-sized (Z avg = 109 ± 18 nm), had a narrow poly dispersity index (PDI = 0.19 ± 0.04), and a very high loading efficiency (94% ± 5%). Based on in vitro data, we evaluated this formulation for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in rabbit eyes. Following a single subconjunctival injection of the latanoprost loaded formulation, the eyes were clinically monitored and the IOP recorded. Results: Latanoprost-loaded EggPC liposomes demonstrated a high drug/lipid mole ratio of 0.181, remained stable for at least 6 months on storage (4°C), and at least 1 month at 25°C. A slow and sustained release of 60% of latanoprost was achieved by 14 days in the in vitro release study. The same formulation demonstrated a greater sustained IOP lowering effect compared with daily administration of topical latanoprost beyond 90 days (4.8 ± 1.5 vs 2.5 ± 0.9 mmHg; P < 0.001). No signs of inflammation were evident in the eyes from slit-lamp examination analysis. Conclusion: The loading required for a long-term sustained delivery of latanoprost for up to 90 days in the rabbit eyes was achieved with EggPC liposomes. A single injection of latanoprost-loaded EggPC liposomes can lower the IOP for up to 90 days, with a greater IOP lowering effect than daily topical administration of latanoprost.