Ocular delivery of moxifloxacin-loaded liposomes

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the release profile of moxifloxacin encapsulated in liposomes in the aqueous humor as a controlled release system for intracameral application. Methods: Liposomes containing moxifloxacin were obtained using the lipid film hydration method and were characterized by particle size and encapsulation efficiency. Female rabbits were used for the in vivo profile release study. Liposomes containing moxifloxacin was injected into the anterior chamber of the right eye of each animal. The rabbits were divided into five groups, and a sample of aqueous humor was collected 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 h after administration of liposomes containing moxifloxacin administration. Moxifloxacin concentrations in the aqueous humor were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The average size of the liposomes containing moxifloxacin was 60.5 ± 0.72 nm with a particle size distribution of 0.307. The encapsulation efficiency of moxifloxacin in liposomes was 92.24 ± 0.24%. The results of an in vivo release study of liposomes containing moxifloxacin, showed that the maximum moxifloxacin concentration was achieved within the first 2 h after administration (5.27 ± 1.09 mg/mL) and was followed by a decrease in intracameral concentration (0.35 ± 0.05 mg/mL) until the 24 h mark. Conclusions: The in vivo experiments resulted in liposomes containing moxifloxacin that were homogenous in size and exhibited high drug encapsulation efficiency. The results indicate that liposomes containing moxifloxacin offers a satisfactory aqueous humor release profile after intracameral application.