Formulation and Evaluation of Ophthalmic Novel In-Situ Gel Containing Acyclovir for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Keratitis

Abstract

Herpes Simplex Keratitis (HSK), which is a major reason of corneal infection. The virus (Herpes simplex virus) enters into a latent phase. It presents primary infection as conjunctiva and eyelids swelling and mild inflammation. According to global research of disease, it is around 1.4 million, including 38,000 new cases of visual impairment or blindness every year. Several oral and topical antiviral drugs for HSK are out there commercially. However, toxicity and low patient compliance hamper use in HSK. Thus, an effective and safe delivery for HSK is required. The conventional ocular delivery systems such as suspension, solutions and ointments show drawbacks like increased low efficiency, pre-corneal elimination and blurred vision respectively, resulting to poor bioavailability. Ophthalmic In-situ gels, which are viscous polymer-based liquids are instilled in eyes as drops that undergoes sol-to-gel transition that improve duration of corneal contact and ocular bioavailability and thereby reducing frequency of administration. Merits of Ophthalmic in-situ gels over conventional dosage forms are possibility of releasing drugs at constant and slow rate with increased ocular residence time, increased shelf life and accurate dosing. This research includes ion induced in-situ-forming polymeric systems using combination of gelling agents to prolong corneal contact time, eradicate drug elimination and increase the bioavailability.