Effect of percentage of polyvinyl alcohol on the properties of econazole nitrate polymeric micelles eye drop

Econazole nitrate, a chemically produced triazole drug, is utilized to manage fungal keratitis. It has potent antifungal properties against many species; the readily available formula exhibits inadequate corneal permeability, visual aberrations, excessive tearing, dilution of tears, and leakage via the nasolacrimal duct. This research aimed to study the effect of polyvinyl alcohol concentration on the properties of econazole nitrate polymeric micelles eye drops. Polymeric micelles loaded with econazole nitrate eye drops were prepared with different polyvinyl alcohol concentrations and evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and drug content. Formulations evaluated for ex vivo drug permeation using Franz diffusion cell. The cumulative drug permeation (CDP) percentage of the optimum formulation exhibits a significant variation of 64.4 % which has 2% of PVA as compared to econazole nitrate pure drug suspension 12.69% CDP. The cumulative drug permeation (CDP) percentage of the optimum formulation F3D demonstrated a 5-fold increase in ex vivo permeability through the goat ocular membrane compared to the econazole nitrate suspension may be attributed to the PVA use as a thickening agent. Using econazole nitrate polymeric micelle as eye drop containing 2% PVA led to system that is efficient and superior in overcoming ocular obstacles and facilitating the appropriate administration of lipophilic medicines by increasing contact time at the ocular surface and improving bioavailability.