FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF IN-SITU GEL FOR OPHTHALMIC FORMULATION CONTAINING CIPROFLOXACIN HYDROCHLORIDE

Ophthalmic delivery for eye drops which currently cover to 90% of available ocular dosage forms are ideal for the treatment of eye diseases but having limitations of poor therapeutic response and low bioavailability. Objectives: The objectives of present research was to develop of formulation and characterize sustained release in-situ ocular gels containing ciprofloxacin hydrochloride using pH induced gelling polymers for increase drug retention time on eye surface which improved therapeutic response and patient compliance. Methods: In-situ gel formulations prepared by dispersion method using Carbopol-940 alone or in combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M). Formulations were evaluated for appearance, pH, viscosity, gelling capacity, and drug content and in vitro drug release. The optimized formulation was assessed for sterility and antimicrobial efficacy using disk diffusion technique. Results: The appearance of in situ gels were clear and free flowing in nature however, a viscous clear solution with flow was normal as solution state after gel conversion flow behavior was change. All formulations consisting 0.01%-0.09 %w/v of Carbopol-940 and 0.05% w/v HPMC K4M. PH of all the formulations was within the range of 5.8 to 6.9 before gelling condition. In situ gels with Carbopol-940 demonstrated higher viscosity compared to Carbopol-934 and drug release was sustained over a period of 8 hr. The selected formulation containing 0.03% w/v Carbopol-940 and 0.05% w/v HPMC K4M passed sterility test and demonstrated similar antimicrobial efficiency compared to commercial product. Conclusion: Carbopol-940 and HPMC K4-M based in situ gels have potential to improve patient’s compliance by reducing the dosing frequency and can be an alternative to commercial product.