Formulation And Evaluation Of Propranolol Loaded Bio Flexi Ocusert Using Sorghum Flour Biopolymer
Keywords:
Propranolol hydrochloride, Bio-flexi ocuserts, Sorghum flour biopolymer, Sustained ocular drug delivery, Ocular inserts, GlaucomaAbstract
Delivering propranolol hydrochloride via conventional eye drops often results in poor bioavailability. This is mainly due to rapid precorneal drainage and tear turnover, which quickly eliminate the drug from the ocular surface, requiring frequent administration. Such repeated dosing can reduce patient compliance and therapeutic effectiveness. Ocuserts, which are thin ocular inserts designed to provide sustained drug release, offer a promising alternative. They can maintain therapeutic drug levels for extended periods, improving patient convenience. The use of natural biopolymers in ocular drug delivery is particularly attractive because they are biodegradable, biocompatible, economical, and environmentally friendly. This study aimed to develop and evaluate propranolol-loaded bio-flexi ocuserts using sorghum flour biopolymer as a natural film-forming matrix for sustained ocular drug delivery. Bio-flexi ocuserts were prepared using the solvent casting method by incorporating different concentrations of sorghum flour polymer along with appropriate plasticisers to enhance flexibility. The prepared inserts were evaluated for various physico-mechanical properties, including thickness uniformity, weight variation, folding endurance, surface, pH, and drug content uniformity. In vitro drug release studies were carried out using a diffusion cell to examine the release profile of propranolol over time. The release data were further analysed using mathematical models to determine the mechanism of drug release. All the formulated ocuserts showed satisfactory physico-mechanical characteristics. The thickness and weight variation were uniform, and the surface pH was found to be compatible with ocular tissues. Folding endurance values ranged from 98 to 120, demonstrating good flexibility and mechanical strength. The results of this study suggest that sorghum flour biopolymer can serve as an effective, natural, biodegradable, and cost-efficient matrix for the development of bio-flexi ocuserts. Propranolol-loaded sorghum flour ocular inserts demonstrated promising potential for sustained ocular drug delivery and may be beneficial in the management of glaucoma.
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