Optimization and Physicochemical Characterization of a Gatifloxacin Loaded NLC For Ocular Antibacterial Application (Research Article)

Author(s): Dipali Sapkal and Shubhangi Aher*

Abstract: The study was designed to fabricate the Gatifloxacin nanostructured lipid carriers (GFX-NLCs) for ophthalmic application to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Initially, two level full factorial design was used to optimize the various factors significantly affecting the final formulation attributes. GFX-NLCs with particle size 85.66±4.65 nm polydispersity index 0.367± 0.008., zeta potential -28.5 mV, entrapment efficiency 91.45% ± 0.028 %, and spherical shape was achieved. The optimized GFX-NLCs demonstrated the Korsemeyer peppas model release kinetics with highest regression coefficient. Besides this, FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry results suggested that GFX had excellent compatibility with excipients. Furthermore, the results of ex-vivo permeation study demonstrated 0.82-fold enhancement ratio compared with marketed formulation. In addition, GFX-NLCs did not show any sign of ocular irritancy to the corneal tissue as confirmed by HET-CAM test. Therefore, the findings suggest that GFX-NLCs can be better alternative strategy to prevent and treat the bacterial conjunctivitis.

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