Formulation and evaluation of moxifloxacin-loaded proniosomal gel for ocular delivery

Background: The management of ocular disorders is particularly arduous due to the eye's distinctive anatomy. The cornea serves as a crucial obstacle to medication absorption, restricting the effectiveness of conventional dosage regimens. To address this issue, a proniosomal gel has been developed, comprising a lipid bilayer that emulates the corneal cell membrane, thereby enhancing drug transport across the cornea and resulting in improved bioavailability. Methodology: The Moxifloxacin-loaded Proniosomal gel was developed by the coacervation phase separation method. To determine the physicochemical characteristics of the gel, various evaluation parameters were conducted, including viscosity, pH, FTIR, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), particle size (PS), entrapment efficacy (EE), SEM, and in vitro studies. Results and Discussion: The F5 optimized formulation exhibited a maximum EE of 94.47±0.23%, an ideal pH of 6.8, a PS of 105.4 nm, a PDI of 0.3678, and a zeta potential within ±30 mV. In-vitro drug release and kinetic studies showed that proniosomal gel followed first-order kinetic characteristics of drug released and a biphasic drug release pattern (There is an initial rapid release of the drug, followed by a slower, controlled release over an extended period). Conclusion: Proniosomal gels as drug delivery carriers increased corneal contact, penetration, and retention time in the eye, resulting in sustained action and increased bioavailability.