DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GEL-FORMING COMPOSITE FILM FOR OCULAR DELIVERY OF ACETAZOLAMIDE

Abstract

This work focus on the development of composite films of PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol) with different polysaccharides, Acetazolamide-loaded composite films were fabricated by solvent casting method. The developed films were characterized for weight uniformity, surface pH, thickness, gelling time, gelling capacity, % hemolysis, transparency study, mechanical study, FTIR analysis, impedance analysis, invitro drug release, ex vivo drug permeation, and ocular irritation study. The prepared films were colorless and clear. FTIR study revealed that no interaction between polymers. According to the stress relaxation investigation, the polysaccharide reinforced the PVA films and reduced their elastic component, Additionally, the residual elastic energy (P0) of the polysaccharide-loaded films was much greater than F0. The percentage hemolysis of all films was less than 5%, indicating highly compatible. The ocular tissue was not irritated by the synthesized composite film, confirmed by the Draize eye irritation test. Ex vivo transcorneal permeation of acetazolamide followed non-fickian diffusion process except F4.