Mucoadhesive liposomal delivery system synergizing anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation for enhanced treatment against dry eye disease

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common and frequent ocular surface disease worldwide, which can cause severe ocular surface discomfort and blurred vision. Inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) play decisive roles in the development of DED. However, existing treatments usually focus on anti-inflammation while ignore the role of ROS in DED. Ever worse, the clinical preparations are easily cleared by nasolacrimal ducts, resulting in poor therapeutic effect. To circumvent these obstacles, here we designed a phenylboronic acid (PBA) modified liposome co-loading immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA) and antioxidant crocin (Cro). The CsA/Cro PBA Lip achieved mucoadhesion through the formation of covalent bonds between PBA and the sialic acid residues on mucin, and consequently improved the retention of drugs on the ocular surface. By inhibiting ROS production and blocking NF-κB inflammatory pathway, CsA/Cro PBA Lip successfully promoted the healing of damaged corneal epithelium, eventually achieving the goal of relieving DED. CsA/Cro PBA Lip is proven a simple yet effective dual-drug delivery system, exhibiting superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. This approach holds great potential in the clinical treatment of DED and other related mucosal inflammations.