Abstract
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The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential of poly(α-carboxylate-co-α-benzylcarboxylate-ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(α-carboxylate-co-α-benzylcarboxylate-ε-caprolactone) (PCBCL-b-PEG-b-PCBCL; denoted as PolyGel™) as an in situ gel system for ocular delivery of CyA. The newly developed formulation was systematically assessed and its profile was compared to Restasis®, 0.5% CyA extemporaneous preparation, and CyA-loaded poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) a non-gelling micelle formulation. In vivo Draize test showed that CyA-loaded PolyGel™ was well tolerated with only moderate irritation that resolved within 24 h. Both ex vivo corneal permeation and in vivo pharmacokinetics in aqueous humor (AqH) showed sustained release of CyA from PolyGel™. Non-compartmental analysis of CyA concentrations in AqH showed significant changes in pharmacokinetic parameters of CyA among different formulations. The highest Cmax and AUC0-∞ in AqH were achieved with Restasis® followed by PolyGel™. Nonetheless, CyA-loaded PolyGel™ had approximately 87% longer t1/2 for CyA compared to Restasis®. Pharmacological and histopathological studies were performed on an endotoxin-induced uveitis rabbit model, where CyA-loaded PolyGel™ showed a comparable profile to Restasis®. Our results point to a great potential of PolyGel™ as ocular drug delivery carrier.