Development and Optimization of Sustained Release Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Loaded Nanoemulsion for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery: A 32 Factorial Design Approach
Background: Moxifloxacin is a BCS class I drug used in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis. Despite its high water solubility, it possesses limited bioavailability due to anatomical and physiological constraints associated with the eyes which required multiple administrations to achieve a therapeutic effect. Objective: In order to prolong drug release and to improve antibacterial efficacy for the treatment of bacterial keratitis and conjunctivitis, moxifloxacin loaded nanoemulsion was developed. Methods: The concentration of oil (oleic acid), surfactant (tween 80), and cosurfactant (propylene glycol) were optimized by employing a 3-level 2-factorial design of experiment for the development of nanoemulsion. The developed nanoemulsion was characterized by particle size distribution, viscosity, refractive index, pH, drug content and release, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and antibacterial study. The compatibility of the drug with the excipients was accessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Result: The average globule size was found to be 198.20 nm. The TEM study reveals the globules were nearly spherical and are well distributed. In vitro drug release profile for nanoemulsion shown sustained drug release (60.12% at the end of 6 h) compared to drug solution, where complete drug released within 2 h. The antibacterial effectiveness of the drug-loaded nanoemulsion was improved against S. aureus compared with the marketed formulation. Conclusion: The formulated sustained release nanoemulsion could be a promising alternative to eye drop with improved patient compliance by minimizing dosing frequency with improved antibacterial activity.