Preparation and assessment of ocular inserts containing sulbactum for controlled drug delivery

Ocuserts or Ophthalmic inserts are sterile preparations containing drug as dispersion or as solution in the polymeric support. The sulbactum is highly used as antibacterial agent in combination with other antibacterial agent. This study aims to formulate novel sulbactum ocuserts to enhance patient compliance through providing controlled drugs release from polymeric matrix. Ocuserts were prepared by solvent-casting method using different polymers HPMC, K4M, Polyvinyl alcohol,ethyl cellulose as polymer gelatine and propylene glycol and dibutyl phthalate as plasticizer in different ratios. The prepared ocusters were physic-chemichally evaluated for their weight, thickness, drug content uniformity, surface pH, swelling index (SI) and folding endurance. The viscosity of the polymeric solution used for the formulations was determined using Brookfield viscometer. In-Vitro Drug Release study and Accelerated stability studies were also performed. The prepared ocuserts show uniform weight, thickness and drug content. Their surface pH was in the physiological range and showed acceptable folding endurance. HPMC formulas had higher SI values. Results of in-vitro testing for one of the prepared ocuserts shows slow release of drugs up to 24 hours. One of the prepared ocuserts is promising for once-daily effective and safe drug delivery system of sulbactum for glaucoma treatment. Keyword: Ocuserts, sulbactum, viscosity, Ophthalmi