Design and optimization of lomefloxacin loaded NLC gel for ophthalmic drug delivery

Abstract

Lomefloxacin is a fluoroquinolone drug that has broad-spectrum action against Gram-negative as well as Gram Positive pathogens. The drug retention issues of ophthalmic drug delivery are a key parameter to select NLC gel as a deliver system. The purpose of the present investigation was to design, optimize and evaluate Lomefloxacin loaded nano structured lipid gel for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery. Lomefloxacin loaded NLCs were prepared by high-pressure homogenization approach (hot), using Olive oil as liquid lipid, Stearic acid as solid lipid and tween 80 as surfactant. Box-Behnken design was used to optimize Lomefloxacin loaded NLCs using Design-Expert 12 programme. Lipid ratio X1, surfactant concentrationX2, and homogenization cycle X3 are kept as three independent variables particle size (Y1 nm), entrapment efficiency (Y2 percent), and drug release percentage (Y3 percent) as dependent variables. NLCs were characterized for particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. The effects of composition of lipid materials and surfactant mixture on the particle size, zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release behavior were investigated.