Single walled Carbon nanotube: Chitosan conjugate for sustained ophthalmic delivery of Ciprofloxacin from ointment; its evaluation and in vivo eye irritation study

The current study aimed at the preparation and evaluation of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNTs) loaded Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment. SWCNTs were functionalized and further Chitosan was loaded on the FSWCNT to achieve solubility of the SWCNT and further Ciprofloxacin was loaded on developed system. The developed system was mixed in ophthalmic ointment base and homogenized at high speed to ensure proper dispersion of drug-loaded SWCNT in the base. The prepared formulation was analyzed with hyphenated tools. The drug loading capacity of Ciprofloxacin on F SWCNT was found to be 86 ± 0.234%. In vitro drug release study exhibited 73.56% drug release at the end of 14 h which indicated the sustained release of drug from the SWCNT. The antimicrobial study, antimicrobial biofilm assay, and in vivo irritation tests were carried out as per OECD 405 guidelines. The results obtained were found to be satisfactory and within the limits of standard. Based on the results, it was concluded that the modified FSWCNT can be successfully used for drug loading and the formulation can be used for ophthalmic purpose. Moreover, the prepared system may be utilized in sustained release ophthalmic formulations and for treatment of chronic eye disease(s).