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Fixed-Combination Eye Drops Based on Fluorometholone Nanoparticles and Bromfenac/Levofloxacin Solution Improve Drug Corneal Penetration

Otake H, Goto R, Ogata F, Isaka T, Kawasaki N, Kobayakawa S, Matsunaga T, Nagai N

International journal of nanomedicine, 2021

Abstract

PURPOSE: The multi-instillation of three commercially available (CA) eye drops [fluorometholone (FL)-, bromfenac (BF)- and levofloxacin (LV)-eye drops] has been used to manage pain and inflammation post-intraocular surgery. However, the multi-instillation of these three eye drops causes corneal damage, and the FL drops have the disadvantage of low ocular bioavailability. To overcome these problems, we prepared fixed-combination eye drops based on FL nanoparticles (FL-NPs) and BF/LV solution (nFBL-FC), and evaluated the corneal toxicity and transcorneal penetration of the nFBL-FC eye drops.

METHODS: FL powder was mixed in 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin solution containing benzalkonium chloride, mannitol and methylcellulose, and milled with a Bead Smash 12 (5500 rpm for 30 s×30 times). The BF/LV solution was then added to the milled-dispersions to be used as nFBL-FC. The FL, BF and LV concentrations were measured by HPLC methods, and transcorneal penetration was evaluated in rabbits.

RESULTS: The FL particle size in nFBL-FC was 40-150 nm, with only 0.0018% in liquid form. No aggregation of FL particles in the nFBL-FC was observed for 1 month. The viability of human corneal epithelial cells treated with nFBL-FC was remarkably higher than that of cells subjected to the multi-instillation of the corresponding three CA-eye drops. In addition, the corneal penetrations (AUC) of the FL, BF and LV in nFBL-FC were 4.9-, 1.8-, and 7.1-fold those of the corresponding CA-eye drops,…

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