Nanoparticles – a technological approach to create a stable, tolerable and effective ophthalmic drug formulation

Nanoparticles – a technological approach to create a stable, tolerable and effective ophthalmic drug formulation

Oral presentation

Nikoleta Gyurova, Velichka Andonova, Margarita Kassarova
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University – Plovdiv

In the recent years the interest in nanoparticles (NPs) as multicompartment drug delivery systems for the treatment of various diseases of the eye, such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis, blepharitis etc., has increased significantly. The size of the NPs is typically measured in nanometers. There are various approaches for their classification, for example according to their nature: derived from natural products or synthetic; and their structure: nanotubes, liposomes, nanocrystals, solid lipid NPs, nanospheres and nanocapsules, polymeric micelles, dendrimers and functionalized NPs. NPs as drug delivery systems possess a huge range of benefits. Nanocarriers may improve solubility (nanosuspensions, microemulsions); improve permeability; provide a better prevention from metabolism and elimination (polymer conjugation, mucoadhesive polymers); enhance drug stability and improve pharmacokinetics of the drug used. Crucial for the fate of the NPs in the human body and their toxic effects are their size,functionalization,encapsulation, the surface, the structure and the alternative materials used. They are the foundation of the nanoparticle-biological interactions, nanoparticles surface chemistry and NPs aggregation in the biological environment which can cause hazards and toxicity of the nanomaterials used as ophthalmic drug delivery systems. The problem with the eventual toxicity is still not well addressed that’s why the development and application of strict safety rules are needed to create a sure and safety ophthalmic drug formulation.