Lipid-Based Nanocarriers as Topical Drug Delivery Systems for Intraocular Diseases

Abstract

Effective drug delivery to intraocular tissues remains a great challenge due to complex anatomical and physiological barriers that selectively limit the entry of drugs into the eye. To overcome these challenges, frequent topical application and regular intravitreal injections are currently used to achieve the desired drug concentrations into the eye. However, the repetitive installation or recurrent injections may result in several side effects. Recent advancements in the field of nanoparticle-based drug delivery have demonstrated promising results for topical ophthalmic nanotherapies in the treatment of intraocular diseases. Studies have revealed that nanocarriers enhance the intraocular half-life and bioavailability of several therapies including proteins, peptides and genetic material. Amongst the array of nanoparticles available nowadays, lipid-based nanosystems have shown an increased efficiency and feasibility in topical formulations, making them an important target for constant and thorough research in both preclinical and clinical practice. In this review, we will cover the promising lipid-based nanocarriers used in topical ophthalmic formulations for intraocular drug delivery.

Development of Lactoferrin-Loaded Liposomes for the Management of Dry Eye Disease and Ocular Inflammation

“…Owing to their high lipophilicity, the epithelium layer of the cornea, composed of lipid, favoured the release of bLF-LIP and prevents the entry of hydrophilic substances, such as free bLF solution, thus retaining a significant part of the protein in the cornea [ 67 ]. Furthermore, particles below 100 nm, particles with deformable nature and positively charged liposomes could potentially facilitate their permeability and absorption through the corneal membrane, leading to an enhance in all pharmacokinetic parameters [ 31 , 47 ]. Therefore, bLF-LIP may efficiently release bLF to the specified area by delivering bLF slowly across the corneal tissue, which would be helpful for the management of DED and the derived ocular inflammation.…”

“…Liposomes, since discovery by Bangham [ 29 ], have been widely used as delivery system for therapeutic and diagnostic compounds such as drugs, imaging agents, genes, or proteins [ 30 ]. Liposomes enhance the active corneal permeability due to their ability to come in close contact with cornea and conjunctiva as well as increase the extent of corneal uptake by prolonging the corneal contact time [ 31 ].…”

“…Therefore, bLF encapsulation into biocompatible and biodegradable liposomes has been carried out to overcome its compromised stability and increase therapeutic activity and half-life in the ocular surface, granting its prolonged release [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Topical Pirfenidone-Loaded Liposomes Ophthalmic Formulation Reduces Haze Development after Corneal Alkali Burn in Mice

“…Liposomes, small vesicles (approximate size of 30-1000 nm) which are prepared with phospholipids, offer an efficient option for PFD drug delivery. Previously, liposomes have been evidenced to increase drug penetration, extend the time in contact with the ocular surface, and to improve the therapeutic effect of topical ophthalmic drugs, thus reducing the frequency of application [21,22]. We anticipate that due to these nanoparticles, PFD penetration will increase the time of interaction with the ocular surface and would improve the therapeutic effect by reducing the frequency of application.…”

Nanotechnology for Topical Drug Delivery to the Anterior Segment of the Eye

“…Various approaches have been extensively described in several reviews concerning different aspects of ocular drug delivery (e.g., [2,5,11,12,20,[26][27][28][29][30][31]).…”