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. 2014 Apr 30;9(4):e95461. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095461

Bimatoprost-Loaded Ocular Inserts as Sustained Release Drug Delivery Systems for Glaucoma Treatment: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Juçara Ribeiro Franca 1, Giselle Foureaux 2, Leonardo Lima Fuscaldi 3, Tatiana Gomes Ribeiro 1, Lívia Bomfim Rodrigues 1, Renata Bravo 1, Rachel Oliveira Castilho 1, Maria Irene Yoshida 4, Valbert Nascimento Cardoso 3, Simone Odília Fernandes 3, Sebastião Cronemberger 5, Anderson José Ferreira 2, André Augusto Gomes Faraco 1,*
Editor: Thomas Claudepierre6
PMCID: PMC4005758  PMID: 24788066

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to develop and assess a novel sustained-release drug delivery system of Bimatoprost (BIM). Chitosan polymeric inserts were prepared using the solvent casting method and characterized by swelling studies, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, drug content, scanning electron microscopy and in vitro drug release. Biodistribution of 99mTc-BIM eye drops and 99mTc-BIM-loaded inserts, after ocular administration in Wistar rats, was accessed by ex vivo radiation counting. The inserts were evaluated for their therapeutic efficacy in glaucomatous Wistar rats. Glaucoma was induced by weekly intracameral injection of hyaluronic acid. BIM-loaded inserts (equivalent to 9.0 µg BIM) were administered once into conjunctival sac, after ocular hypertension confirmation. BIM eye drop was topically instilled in a second group of glaucomatous rats for 15 days days, while placebo inserts were administered once in a third group. An untreated glaucomatous group was used as control. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored for four consecutive weeks after treatment began. At the end of the experiment, retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve head cupping were evaluated in the histological eye sections. Characterization results revealed that the drug physically interacted, but did not chemically react with the polymeric matrix. Inserts sustainedly released BIM in vitro during 8 hours. Biodistribution studies showed that the amount of 99mTc-BIM that remained in the eye was significantly lower after eye drop instillation than after chitosan insert implantation. BIM-loaded inserts lowered IOP for 4 weeks, after one application, while IOP values remained significantly high for the placebo and untreated groups. Eye drops were only effective during the daily treatment period. IOP results were reflected in RGC counting and optic nerve head cupping damage. BIM-loaded inserts provided sustained release of BIM and seem to be a promising system for glaucoma management.

Introduction

Glaucoma is an ocular disorder with multi-factorial etiology, characterized by a slow progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and optic nerve axons [1], [2]. The disease is the second leading cause of blindness and, worldwide, it is estimated that about 66.8 million people have contracted some form of visual impairment from glaucoma, with 6.7 million suffering from blindness [3]–[5]. The most important risk factor for glaucoma is intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation; progressive visual loss is associated with increased IOP, which damages the optic nerve [6]–[8]. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma [9]. In POAG it is not possible to establish a clinical cause to neurodegeneration or to IOP elevation [10], [11]. POAG therapy usually begins with medications [3].

Prostaglandin analogs have become the first therapeutic class of choice for medical treatment of POAG because of their improved efficacy and tolerability [12], [13]. Prostaglandin analogs are able to control IOP, primarily by increasing uveoscleral outflow via remodeling of the ciliary body [14]. Bimatoprost (BIM) is a prostaglandin analog chemically related to prostamide F2α [15]. The mechanism of IOP lowering induced by BIM is not completely understood. Some authors suggest that BIM is an agonist to “prostamide” receptor [16]–[18], while another study in human eye tissues has shown that BIM is rapidly hydrolyzed in cornea, iris, sclera, and ciliary muscle to its corresponding 17-phenyl-prostaglandin F2α metabolite (free acid), known to be active at the prostaglandin F receptor [19]. Another recent work also suggested that both BIM and its metabolite promote protective effects on the RCG against oxidative stress [14].

Eye drops are still the mainstay eye disease management, accounting for approximately 90% of all ophthalmic treatments. Nevertheless, only 1% to 7% of the administered drugs actually reach the aqueous humor [20]–[22]. The inefficiency of this route stems mainly from the precorneal tear clearance mechanism, the highly selective corneal epithelial barrier, and patient compliance, a factor that is quite unpredictable and difficult to control [22]. Clinically, in glaucomatous patients, variable bioavailability of the active ingredients results in diurnal IOP fluctuation [23]. Moreover, patients tend to present inadequate adherence to their daily therapeutic regimen [23]. Altogether, these factors may result in therapeutic inefficacy and progression of the glaucoma damage. Therefore, the development of new vehicles and drug formulations that require less patient effort and enhance the drug bioavailability represent an important aspect in controlling the evolution this disease [22].

Sustained-release drug delivery systems have been developed to overcome eye drops limitations [24]. These systems can achieve prolonged therapeutic drug concentrations in ocular target tissues, while limiting systemic exposure and side effects and improving patient adherence to therapy [25]. Ocular inserts are solid or semi-solid devices meant to be placed in the conjunctival sac (between the lower eyelid and the eye itself) to deliver drugs on the ocular surface [26]. These devices are designed to release the drug at a constant rate for a prolonged time while minimizing systemic absorption through the nasal mucosa and improving patient compliance due to a reduced frequency of administration. Inserts are often matrix based and made of degradable polymers, such as Chitosan (CS) [22], [27].

CS is a natural carbohydrate polymer, has number of applications in the field of ophthalmics and has attracted a great deal of attention from the scientific community and environmentalists due to its unique features [28]. CS is a biodegradable, nontoxic, and biocompatible polymer [29], which can enhance the intraocular bioavailability of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs [29], [30]. Moreover, CS is a promising mucoadhesive material in physiological pH [31]–[34]. Due to interactions with the mucus layer or the eye tissues, an increase in the precorneal residence time of the preparation can be observed, leading to an increase in the bioavailability of the drug instilled [21]. Thus, mucoadhesive ocular inserts (such as CS-based inserts) could increase the precorneal drug retention (to delay washout), which may result in an enhanced formulation bioavailability.

In this regard, to improve patient compliance by lowering the frequency of administration and to enhance therapeutic effectiveness of glaucoma medical treatment, this research aimed at formulating, physicochemically and in vivo evaluating CS-based inserts for a sustained release of BIM, which were able to lower IOP over four weeks after one application, without causing any damage to the animals.

Materials and Methods

Materials

Medium molecular weight CS and Bimatoprost were supplied by Sigma-Aldrich. All other reagents were of analytical grade.

Preparation of BIM-loaded inserts

Inserts were prepared as monolayer films by employing the solvent/casting technique, according to Rodrigues et al. [35]. First, 75 µL of acetic acid was added to 5 mL of an aqueous solution containing 1.5 mg of BIM homogeneously dissolved. Next, 250 mg of CS was added in this solution. This viscous dispersion was magnetically stirred overnight to ensure homogeneity of both drug and polymer. Then, it was cast, at room temperature, in circular silicone-molded trays (SMT) containing individual 5 mm×2 mm wells [36] to produce BIM-loaded insert (BI). After casting, inserts were carefully removed from the SMT and stored in receptacles, protected from light and air humidity. Placebo inserts (PI) were produced in a similar manner, by adding 250 mg of CS to 5 mL of a solution containing 75 µL of acetic acid in water.

Characterization studies

Swelling studies

Inserts swelling studies were carried out in a phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4) (PBS). Each insert was weighed and placed in PBS for predetermined periods of time (5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 90 min) as described by Eroglu et al. [37]. After immersion, the inserts were removed from the medium, the excess surface water was removed by using filter paper, and the pieces were weighed. The degree of swelling was calculated by using the equation: Swellingindex  =  [(Wt-W0)/W0]. [38].

The weight of the swollen insert after predetermined periods of time (t) is represented by Wt. The original weight of the insert at zero time is represented by W0. This experiment was performed in triplicate.

ATR-FTIR analysis

Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectra of all the inserts and of the original polymer powders were recorded on a PerkinElmer FTIR Spectrometer, Model Spectrum One (USA).

DSC analysis

Thermal properties of the inserts were also evaluated. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements were carried out in a Shimadzu DSC50. Samples (inserts, powder CS, and powder HEC) were packed in an aluminum crucible and heated at a rate of 10°C/min. Nitrogen, at the rate of 20 mL/min was used as a purge gas during the role analysis. The specimens were heated from −50°C to 200°C (RUN 1). The specimens were then cooled to −50°C at the same rate of 10°C/min, at which point they were reheated to 400°C at a rate of 10°C/min (RUN 2).

SEM analysis

The inserts morphology was studied using a JEOL scanning electron microscope (SEM), model JSM-6360LV, operating at 15 kV. The samples were prepared by freezing the inserts in liquid nitrogen. Then, the inserts were fractured. Next, the surface and sides of the inserts were analyzed. The devices were analyzed at suitable acceleration voltages using varying magnification for each sample. Representative micrographs were also taken.

Determination of BIM

The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was chosen to quantify the amount of BIM loaded in the inserts. A Waters HPLC with Pump Control Module (PCM II), a Binary Pump System Waters 515 CLAE Pump, a Waters 717 Plus Autosampler, and a Waters 486 Turnable Absorbance Detector were used. Merck Column Lichro CART 100 (ODS) of 250×4.6 mm, with a particle size of 5 µm, was used for the stationary phase at room temperature. The mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, was comprised of methanol/acetonitrile/phosphoric acid at 0.1 vol% (30∶30∶40), and detection was performed at 210 nm. The solvents were HPLC grade (Tédia Brazil). Samples were dissolved in PBS. After filtration on a 0.45 µm membrane made of regenerated cellulose (Sartorius, Sweden), 20 µL of the samples were automatically injected into the apparatus. The method was validated in accordance with ICH guidelines. BIM, at a concentration of 3.0–15 µg/mL in PBS, was used as a standard solution (phosphate buffer solution, pH 7.4) (y = 26433.5x+880.449, R2 = 0.9994; n = 3).

Drug Content uniformity

Drug Content uniformity was performed according to Brazilian Pharmacopeia [39]. Each ocular insert was hydrated with 100 µL of acetic acid. After 30 minutes, 900 µL of water was added to dissolve the insert. The solution was filtered and suitably diluted. The BIM content was analyzed by HPLC. This test was performed on 10 ocular inserts.

In vitro drug release

In vitro drug release was evaluated using the Franz cell system. A cellulose acetate membrane with 0.45 µm pores was used to split the insert compartment from the receptor liquid compartment. PBS was used as a receptor liquid, and the glass cells were incubated at 37±0.5°C. At appropriate time intervals, all the receptor liquid was withdrawn from the glass cells, and an equal volume of the same receptor liquid was added to maintain a constant volume. The amount of drug released was evaluated by HPLC. The experiment was performed in quintuplicate.

In vivo studies

Animals

Male Wistar rats weighing 180 to 220 g were obtained from the animal facility of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais. The animals were housed in a temperature-controlled room (22–23 °C) with a 12–12 h light-dark cycle. Water and food were available ad libitum. The experimental protocols were performed and approved in accordance with institutional guidelines by the Ethics Committee in Animal Experimentation of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (CETEA-UFMG), which are in accordance with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (protocols n° 251/11 and 211/13). In addition, this study conforms to the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) statement for the use of animals in ophthalmic and vision research.

Biodistribution studies

Biodistribution studies were based on the administration of free and entrapped BIM, radiolabeled with technetium-99m (99mTc). The method for 99mTc labeling of BIM was developed in our laboratory, based on the radiolabeling protocols developed by Nunan et al. [40] and de Barros et al. [41], with modifications. BIM was dissolved in 1.0 mL of phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and radiolabeled with 99mTc by direct labeling method using stannous chloride as reducing agent. Purification was processed by the addition of 200 mg of G60 silica to the radiolabeled solution. After 15 minutes, suspension was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm during 10 minutes and supernatant was recovered. Radiochemical purity analysis of 99mTc-BIM was performed by instant thin-layer chromatography on silica gel strips (ITLC-SG, Merck), using a two-solvent system: saline and ethyl acetate/acetone (5∶95) to determine the amount of free technetium (99mTcO4 −) and hydrolysed technetium (99mTcO2), respectively. 99mTc-BIM solution was used to prepare BI as described earlier.

99mTc-BIM (free and in the insert) was topically administered in the right eye of Wistar rats (n = 5), as decribed above. At 8 and 18 hours post-administration, rats were anesthetized intramuscularly with a solution of ketamine (70 mg/Kg) and xylazine (10 mg/Kg) and, then, euthanized. Organs and tissues of interest (spleen, liver, stomach, small and large intestines, kidneys, blood and eyes) were harvested. Then, each organ and tissue was weighed and its associated radioactivity was determined in an automatic gamma counter (Wizard, Finland). The results were expressed as the percentage of radioactivity per gram of tissue (% cpm/g). Data were statistically analyzed by means of unpaired t test, using PRISM 5.0 software.

In vivo efficacy

Unilateral glaucoma was induced in the right eye by injection of 30 µL of hyaluronic acid (HA) (10 mg/mL) into the anterior chamber through the clear cornea, near the corneoscleral limbus using an hypodermic needle (22 gauge), once a week, for 6 weeks, on the same calendar day and time, according to Moreno et al. [42]. Rats were anesthetized intramuscularly with ketamine (70 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg). In addition, two drops of 0.4% benoxinate hydrochloride were instilled directly on the cornea as a local anesthetic. No procedure was performed in the contralateral eye (control groups). Evaluation of IOP and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were carried out one day before the next HA injection.

BI was placed, once, into the conjunctival sac after the establishment of ocular hypertension (immediately after the second induction). A marketed formulation of BIM eye drops were used as positive control. In this case, animals were treated daily during two weeks. The treatment was also started immediately after the second induction. Untreated animals and PI were used as negative controls. PI was also placed once in the conjunctival sac immediately after the second induction. Five animals were used in each group. Both eyes (sick and healthy) of each animal were submitted to the same treatment. Inserts were hydrated with saline for 30 seconds before administration.

IOP measurements were performed using an applanation tonometer TonoPen XL (Mentor, Norwell, MA, USA) which was calibrated before use by an experienced person. A topical anesthetic (benoxinate hydrochloride 0.4%) was applied to each eye prior to the measurement of IOP. To obtain the measures, non-sedated animals (n = 5) were carefully contained with a small cloth and three readings of IOP (with standard error less than 10%) were acquired in each eye. The average of these three measures was considered the corresponding value of IOP. IOP measurements were performed at the same time each day or week (between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM) to correct diurnal variations in IOP. The tonometrist was masked to the treatment and an assistant performed the randomization process.

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was evaluated by a tail-cuff method, which is a noninvasive computerized system for measuring blood pressure (Kent Scientific Corporation, Torrington, CT, USA). This tail-cuff blood pressure system utilizes volume pressure recording sensor technology to measure the rat tail blood pressure. The animals (n = 5) were acclimated one day before the beginning of the experiments to restraint and to tail-cuff inflation. The restraint platform was maintained at approximately 32–34°C. For each session the rat was placed in an acrylic box restraint and the tail was inserted into a compression cuff that measured the blood pressure 15 times to calculate the average.

Animals were euthanized and both eye were enucleated for histological analysis. After enucleation, two small sagittal sections were made in each side of the eyes. Then, they were immediately immersed in Bouin's fluid for approximately 24 hours. Thereafter, they were dehydrated in increasing concentrations of ethanol (70, 80, 90, 95 and 100%), diaphanized in xylene, and included and embedded in Paraplast. Semi-serial 6 µm-sections (60 µm of interval) were obtained using a microtome (model HM335E, Microm, Minnesota, USA). For histological analysis and RGC counting, histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE).

Statistical analyses

Data were expressed as mean ± SEM. Comparative results were analyzed using unpaired t test (for Biodistribution) and one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post-test (for PIO, MAP and RCG counting). All these tests were performed using the GraphPad Prism 5 software. Results were considered significant at the p<0.05 level.

Results

Characterization studies and in vitro drug release

Chitosan polymeric inserts were produced as circular flexible films with 5 mm of diameter. Physicochemical interactions between drug and polymeric matrix were evaluated by different techniques. Results of the characterization studies are presented below.

Swelling indexes of inserts are shown in Fig. 1 . Inserts hydrated very quickly, reaching more than 80% of total hydration in the first 20 min. The effects of BIM on the swelling behavior are also presented in Fig. 1 . The water soluble drug (BIM) decreased the water uptake of BI, compared to PI. During the accomplishment of the test, the integrity of the tested films was not lost.

Figure 1. Swelling index of PI and BI in a buffered solution medium (PBS; pH 7.4).

Figure 1

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Values expressed as mean ± SD.

Fig. 2 shows the ATR-FTIR spectra PI and BI. In both spectra, two characteristic absorption bands of CS were detected at 1634 and 1538 cm−1 and attributed to amide I (C = O stretching) and to N-H (amine) vibration overlapped to amide II (N-H vibration), respectively. In the FTIR spectrum of PI, the wide and overlapped absorption band at 3258 cm−1 was due to the stretching vibration of the O-H and N-H bonds [35], [43], [44]. From the FTIR spectra of BI, it can be seen that the first band shifted to a higher frequency (from 3258 to 3264 cm−1) and widened.

Figure 2. ATR-FTIR spectra of PI (a) and BI (b).

Figure 2

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BIM shifted first band to a higher frequency (from 3258 to 3264 cm−1) and widened (arrow).

In Fig. 3 shows the DSC curves of PI and BI. PI presented a broad endothermic peak at 62.19°C, as well as a broad exothermic peak at 310.39°C on the first and second runs, respectively. Both peaks are irregular and can be attributed to an evaporation of residual water and a degradation of the main chain, respectively [35], [45], [46]. The degradation peak of CS was dismembered and an increase in the degradation temperature from 310.38°C to 342.90°C could be observed when BIM was added to the inserts.

Figure 3. DSC curves of PI and BI.

Figure 3

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(a) First run; (b) second run.

Morphological characterization of inserts was performed by SEM analysis. SEM pictures of PI and BI are shown in Fig. 4 . From surface images ( Fig. 4 a), it is possible to notice that inserts showed an irregular surface. However, it is not possible to identify drug crystals in this surface, suggesting the miscibility of the drug in the polymer matrix. Lateral images ( Fig. 4 b) shows that the insert polymeric matrix is homogeneous, compact, without any kind of crystallized or granular particles and have about 50 µm of thickness.

Figure 4. Representative SEM photomicrographs of Bimatoprost-loaded inserts.

Figure 4

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(a) surface; (b) lateral. Bar indicates the thickness of the insert.

The drug content in formulations was proved to be uniform. BIM was found at 9.009±0.030 µg/insert. CS inserts reached a controlled-release profile (greater than 4 hours). The Fig. 5 showed the biphasic kinetic from release to BI. In the first stage it can be observed a burst release and subsequently an extended release of the drug. BI released 100% of the drug in 8 hours.

Figure 5. In vitro release profile of BIM from BI.

Figure 5

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Values expressed as mean ± SD.

Biodistribution studies

BIM was radiolabeled with radionuclide Tc-99m for biodistribution studies. The latter was chosen as it emits low-energy gamma rays that do not lead to serious health hazards. BIM was instantaneously labeled with 99mTc. Radiolabeling procedure can yield two mainly radiochemical impurities, free technetium (99mTcO4 −) and hydrolysed technetium (99mTcO2). In both mobile phases, 99mTcO4 −reaches to the top of the ITLC strip (Rf = 0.9–1.0), whereas 99mTcO2 cannot travel much due to the difference in molecular weight and is retained at the base of the ITLC strip (Rf = 0.0). 99mTc-BIM is a hydrophilic compound, which, similarly to 99mTcO4 −,migrates to the top of the ITLC strip with saline and remains at the point of application when ethyl acetate/acetone (5/95) is used as eluent, like 99mTcO2. Then, saline was used to determine the amount of 99mTcO2, whereas ethyl acetate/acetone (5/95) was used to quantify 99mTcO4 −. After preliminary BIM radiolabeling studies, which included the adjustment of labeling parameters, such as the amount of stannous chloride and pH, labeling procedure were optimized and an amount of 20 µg of stannous chloride and a pH of 7.0 were found to give the maximum labeling efficiency (89.38%), after purification.The results showed low levels of radiochemical impurities, allowing for images of better quality.

Results of biodistribution studies are presented in Fig. 6 . At 8 h post-administration, 34.2±24.8% of 99mTc-BIM from eye drops and 47.7±4.4% of 99mTc-BIM from the inserts remained in the right eye. On the other hand, at 18 h, only 5.6±3.1% of 99mTc-BIM from eye drops persisted in the right eye, whereas 29,9±10,9% of 99mTc-BIM from the inserts was still present in the application site. In other words, the inserts prolonged retention of 99mTc-BIM at the corneal site and reduced the extent of nasolacrimal drainage. The 99mTc-BIM cleaned from the eye after eye drop instillation accumulated preferentially in the large intestine and in the kidneys, while 99mTc-BIM cleaned from the eye after insert application accumulated preferentially in the stomach and in the large intestine.

Figure 6. 99mTc-BIM biodistribution profile after eye drops instillation and chitosan inserts implantation.

Figure 6

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Values are expressed as ‘mean ± SD’ (n = 5). (*p<0.05 for 8 h vs. 18 h and #p<0.05 for eye drops vs. inserts). Unpaired Student t test.

In vivo efficacy

The ability of the inserts to controlled release BIM in vivo was tested in an experimental model of glaucoma induced by intraocular injection of HA. Fig. 7 shows the IOP of all experimental groups during the period of 6 weeks (a, glaucomatous eye; b, normal eye). Before the first induction, the IOP of all the groups was at normal levels. After first induction, a significant increase in the IOP of all glaucomatous groups was observed. There was no difference between the groups (p = 0.2024). At this point, the treatment started. For the following four weeks after the treatment, it was observed that, while the IOP of non-treated glaucomatous animals and of glaucomatous animals treated with PI remained significantly high, the IOP of glaucomatous animals treated with BI was significantly lowered. The marketed formulation containing BIM reduced IOP for two weeks (period of eye drop instillation) but, when the treatment was interrupted, the IOP increased again. No significant changes in the IOP were induced by treatment of non-glaucomatous animals with BI or with marketed formulation ( Fig. 7 b). The anti-glaucomatous effects of the BI did not change the Mean Arterial Pressure ( Fig. 8 ).

Figure 7. Effects of administration of BI on IOP.

Figure 7

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(a) Glaucomatous groups; (b) non-glaucomatous groups. Treatments initiated after confirmation of the elevated IOP, i.e. after second week. Values expressed as mean ± SD. *p<0.01 vs. untreated. One-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post test.

Figure 8. Effects of administration of BI on RGC counting.

Figure 8

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Quantification of RCG in retinas of (a) glaucomatous groups, compared to control (*p<0.05 vs. control and #p<0.05 vs. untreated glaucoma) and (b) non-glaucomatous groups. Values expressed as mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post test.

The IOP lowering effects of BI were followed by preservation of the RGC. As viewed in Fig. 8 a, we found that non-treated glaucomatous animals and glaucomatous animals treated with PI showed a large reduction in the number of RGC (glaucomatous non-treated group: 393.2±31.5 cells; glaucomatous PI group 408.2±43.4 cells). Similar reduction was not noticed in glaucomatous animals treated either with marketed formulation containing BIM or with BI (473.5±27,9 cells in control group; 502.0±23,2 cells in the glaucomatous BIM eye drops group; 502.8±18,6 in glaucomatous BI group). Again, no significant changes were induced by BI in non-glaucomatous animals ( Fig 8 b). Representative histological images of retina showing RGC loss in glaucomatous groups are presented in Fig. 9 . Additionally, the reduction in the number of RGC caused by elevated IOP led to a severe loss of neural fibers with consequent increase in the optic nerve head cupping ( Fig. 10 ). These effects were abolished by the treatment with BI. Altogether, these data indicated that controlled release of BIM induced a neuroprotection by decreasing the loss of RGC and neural fibers.

Figure 9. Histological analysis of retinal ganglion cells (RGC).

Figure 9

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Representative photomicrographs of retinas showing the smaller number of RCG in non-treated and PI-treated glaucomatous rats and the beneficial effect of BIM in this parameter. (a) Non-glaucomatous animals; (b) untreated glaucomatous animals; (c) PI glaucomatous animals; (d) BIM eye drops glaucomatous animals; (e) BI glaucomatous animals.

Figure 10. BIM induced neuroprotection in retinas of glaucomatous rats.

Figure 10

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Representative photomicrographs of excavation of the optic nerve (arrows). (a) Non-glaucomatous animals; (b) untreated glaucomatous animals; (c) PI glaucomatous animals; (d) BIM eye drops glaucomatous animals; (e) BI glaucomatous animals. Note an exacerbation of the excavation in untreated and PI glaucomatous animals (b and c) when compared with all other groups. This effect is reverted by BIM.

During in vivo efficacy test, eventual eye irritation caused by the insert was evaluated. In all experiments, the inserts were well tolerated. No symptoms of ocular lesions, such as tearing, redness, edema, and inflammation, could be observed during the experimental assays. No anterior chamber inflammation or corneal changes were observed. Ocular surface structures and intraocular tissues proved to be normal. Furthermore, fluorescein staining did not indicate corneal or conjunctival ulcerations.

Discussion

Ocular drug delivery has been a major challenge to pharmacologists and drug delivery scientists due to its unique anatomy and physiology [47]. An ideal therapy for chronic diseases, such as glaucoma, should maintain effective levels of drug for the longer duration following a single application [48]. Novel drug delivery strategies that provide controlled release for the treatment of such diseases and increase the patient's and doctor's convenience to reduce the dosing frequency and invasive treatment have been developed to sustain drug levels at the target site [47], [49]. Likewise, a great deal of attention is paid to develop non-invasive sustained drug release for eye disorders [48].

Within this context, we developed CS-based ocular inserts for sustained release of BIM, a highly efficacious ocular hypotensive agent [17]. CS, as well, seemed to be an adequate polymeric matrix due its biodegradable, nontoxic, biocompatible and mucoadhesive proprieties [29], [31]–[34]. Inserts were prepared as circular flexible membranes with 5 mm of diameter and about 50 µm of thickness ( Fig. 4 ). Ocular insert used in animal or human clinical trial showed a thickness of 70 to 500 µm [50] suggesting that the inserts developed in our work have a suited breadth for clinical use.

Inserts hydrated very quickly ( Fig. 1 ). BIM (hydrophilic drug) decrease the swelling index of BI, compared to PI. This fact, suggesting that there are intermolecular interactions between the drug and the polymeric matrix, is in agreement with the findings of Panomsuk et al. [51], in which the addition of mannitol to methylcellulose matrix also reduced the swelling index of the membranes. This result indicates the formation of hydrogen bonding between the drugs and the polymeric matrix. Therefore, the greater the number and strength of hydrogen bonding sites, the slower the diffusion of the water molecules in the hydrated matrix [51]. The presence of hydrogen bonding was further confirmed by ATR-FTIR spectra of BI ( Fig. 2 ), in which O-H stretching bands were shifted to higher wave number. In this case, those changes provide evidence of the intermolecular interaction between the hydrophilic drug and polymeric matrix.

In DSC curves ( Fig. 3 b), it was observed that BIM addition dismembered the degradation peak of CS in two other peaks and increased the degradation temperature of the main chain of CS [45], [46]. This data indicates that the drug interacted with the matrix, in turn hampering the degradation of the matrix. Moreover, this finding corroborates those of ATR-FTIR spectra and swelling studies. These results suggest that the polymer and the drug interacted through hydrogen bonding.

Apart from the increase in O-H stretching wave number, no other changes in CS infrared spectrum were detected due the addition of BIM ( Fig. 2 ), leading to the conclusion that there was no obvious chemical reaction between the drug and the matrix, in turn suggesting that the drug did not lose its activity in the drug-loaded inserts.

From morphological characterization ( Fig. 4 ), it was not possible to identify crystallized particles in the middle or on the surface of the inserts containing BIM that could be attributed to drug crystals, suggesting that the drug was molecularly dispersed within the polymeric matrix. Both surface and lateral areas of inserts were homogeneous. The standard error of measurement (SEM) of drug content uniformity was very low (0,33%). It could be concluded that the drug dispersed uniformly throughout the inserts [52], as predicted by SEM analysis.

In vitro drug release studies ( Fig. 5 ) indicated that there is a biphasic kinetic of BI release. This fact can be explained based on the effect of drug solubility and inserts hydratation. In this case, the drug used is highly soluble in aqueous and can pass through the porous structure of inserts. PBS was used as receptor fluid in the Franz cell and hydration of the inserts was very fast, as described above (80% in the first 20 min). These two factors together may have contributed to the burst effect observed.

On the other hand, in vitro drug release studies ( Fig. 5 ) indicated that inserts were able to sustainedly release BIM. Although the drug is hydrophilic, the in vitro release data demonstrate that there is a certain time to release the drug content of the inner polymer matrix. As described above, this difficulty is associated with greater interpenetration of the polymer matrix in the main chain caused by greater interaction between the drug and the matrix itself, reducing the inflow of water into the matrix (after initial hydration) and consequently decreasing the release time of the drug.

Biodistribution studies were performed in order to evaluate the difference between 99mTc-BIM and 99mTc-BIM inserts drainage extension, at 8 and 18 hours post-ocular administration. Since the main route of drug elimination from the eye is nasolacrimal drainage, the gastrointestinal organs (stomach and intestines) were collected. Moreover, in order to evaluate possible absorption, blood and common organs of drug elimination (liver, spleen and kidneys) were also harvested. It was evidenced that CS was able to enhance precorneal retention time of BIM, which is probable due to the mucoadhesive proprieties of the polymeric matrix. It has already been proved that CS shows a prolonged precorneal residence time when delivered in the eye [53], [54]. Here, we demonstrated that CS was able to confer this property to BIM, most likely because of the physicochemical interaction between the drug and the polymeric matrix. An increment on the precorneal retention time of the drugs associated with polymeric matrix was reported by Gupta et al., when evaluated PLGA nanoparticles entrapping 99mTc-sparfloxacin [55] or 99mTc-levofloxacin [56] and PVA inserts entrapping 99mTc-DTPA[57]. Preferable sites of 99mTc-BIM accumulation were kidney and gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small intestine and large intestine), which are the two most important ways of elimination of BIM [58].

Reduction of IOP has long been the standard treatment for glaucoma [59]. Thereby, the effectiveness of the inserts was first evaluated by measuring the changes in IOP of glaucomatous rats caused by the inserts application. As expected, IOP lowering with conventional eye drop was only maintained during the daily treatment. As soon as the treatment was interrupted, IOP increased again. BI, on the other hand, were able to reduce IOP for four week after one application. These results showed a different drug delivery profile when comparing the in vitro and the in vivo experiments. It can be due to the fast in vitro drug release in the Franz cell system. So, the drug will be released constantly and fast, as described above. In the eye, such condition does not happen because the present liquid is the small and limited volume of the tears. Then, in this case, the drug will be released more slowly than in vitro In other words, our results suggest that therapeutic regimen of BIM could be reduced from daily to monthly.

If, on the one side, reduction of IOP is essential on treatment for glaucoma [59], by other, RGC damage is responsible for the loss of vision [14]. So, at the end of the treatment, we also evaluated histological sections of retina in optic nerve area in order to determine RGC loss and optic nerve head cupping. As predicted, both non-treated groups have showed significant RGC loss, while in both treated groups (eye drops or inserts), the RGC number was statistically equal to the number of non-glaucomatous animals, indicating that treatment with BIM also promoted neuroprotection [14]. It is important to underline that the same neuroprotection effect was obtained when BI was administered once or when BIM eye drops were administered daily for two weeks. The amount of BIM in one insert is equivalent to the amount of BIM in one drop.

In 2011, Robinson et al. developed polymeric systems for the sustained release of BIM [60], [61]. The main innovation of the present system, as compared with that developed by Robinson et al., is that, while their system must be implanted in the anterior chamber of the eye, requiring a surgical procedure, the present system can simply be applied topically on the conjunctival sac, a non-invasive procedure. In 2013, Shafiee et al. proposed a DuraSite system to reduce the dosing frequency of BIM administration. BIM formulated in DuraSite system had ocular bioavailability superior to that of the conventional eye drops. Commercial DuraSite systems (AzaSite and Besivance) are still administered daily [62].

Natarajan et al., developed liposomes for sustained release of Latanoprost, a prostaglandin analog similar to BIM [61]. The sustained release of Latanoprost was achieved; however, the process for the production of liposomes still involves the use of organic solvents, which is undesirable in the pharmaceuticals industry. In 2013, Giarmoukakis et al. also developed biodegradable nanoparticles for sustained release of Latanoprot [23]. Unfortunately, invasive procedures were needed for periocular implantation of the developed formulation.

Conclusions

The findings of this study revealed that CS-based ocular insert for the sustained release of BIM were successfully produced. A strong interaction between the drug and the polymer was achieved. The formulation enhanced precorneal residence time of the BIM, compared to conventional eye drops. The sustained release of BIM was proven by pharmacodinamic effects (IOP lowering and neuroprotection) and biodistribution studies. Consequently, after the data analysis, BI was able to sustain the release of BIM for over a month with only one dose applied. These results may reveal a potential application of this new formulation in glaucoma management, in order to improve patient compliance by lowering the frequency of administration and to enhance therapeutic effectiveness of glaucoma medical treatment.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to PRPq-UFMG, CNPq (for Development Technologic fellowship and financial support), CAPES and FAPEMIG for their financial support. The authors would like to acknowledge the Center of Microscopy at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (http://www.microscopia.ufmg.br) for providing the equipment and technical support for experiments involving scanning electron microscopy.

Funding Statement

The authors are grateful to PRPq-UFMG, CNPq (for Development Technologic fellowship and financial support), CAPES and FAPEMIG for their financial support. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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