Potential Ganciclovir Liposomal Thermoreversible Gel for Ophthalmic Delivery Using Box-Behnken Statistical Design and Efficacy Assessment Study in Rabbit Model

The present study focuses on development of novel thermoreversible ophthalmic drug delivery system using Ganciclovir as potential candidate for treatment of various ocular infections. The formulation was prepared for thermoreversible gel which incorporates liposomes of Ganciclovir as core system. Thermoreversible gel prolongs delivery of drug with use of combination of polymers like Poloxamer, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. The Poloxamer used here serves as temperature sensitive polymer. Thus prepared system was evaluated for various parameters. Liposomes found to be complies with basic requirement like non-leak ability, high in-vitro drug release with optimum encapsulation efficiency. The results obtained showed that the in situ gel is clear and transparent (prime requirement for ophthalmic product) with high gelling capacity and moderately viscous liquid (1454 cp), highest bioadhesive strength (Dyne/cm2). The ex-vivo study was also done and compared with marketed eye drop formulation. The results showed superiority of in situ gel formulation over eye in sustaining the drug release over prolong period of time. The haemolytic study performed proved the non-haemolytic nature of formulation.