Smart Eye Healing: Formulation and Evaluation of Gentamicin and Marigold-infused ocular inserts

evaluated a unique ocular insert developed using Gentamicin, a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic, with Marigold (Tagetes erect) extract, with strong anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. The ocular insert was fabricated by using solvent casting, and used polymeric components of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), plasticizers of PEG-400 and glycerol to develop adequate flexibility and bioadhesive properties. Phytochemical screening of the Marigold extract revealed constituents of flavonoids, triterpenoids, phenolics, and steroids. Anti-inflammatory activity was measured using egg albumin denaturation assays, where the formulation displayed protein stabilization averages of 63.2%. Antimicrobial activity was validated through agar diffusion methods, with substantial zones of inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus; the higher levels of gentamicin displayed significantly increased inhibition. The in-vitro diffusion studies using the Franz cell apparatus saw the formulation continued drug delivery of 76.14% drug delivery over 4 hours and in turn, demonstrated that this formulation can successfully provide control drug delivery. Physicochemical assessments showed good results in the weight uniformity, pH, folding endurance and disintegration time evaluations, and we concluded that formulation was stable, biocompatible, and would act quickly in vivo. Taken together, the present findings suggest that synthetic ocular insert infused with Gentamicin and Marigold is a potential patient-friendly alternative to traditional eye drops, with improved bioavailability and drug-releasing capability, dosing frequency, and dual therapeutic action for infection and inflammation.