Abstract
Objective: The short retention time of eye drops used to prevent dryness has necessitated the exploration of alternative dosage forms. İn-situ hydrogels remain in a sol phase during storage but transition to a gel phase under environmental conditions, allowing prolonged retention at the target site. In this study, in-situ hydrogel formulations capable of sol-gel transition at ocular temperature were developed using natural and biocompatible polymers, and their characterizations were performed.
Material and Method: HA, CMC, PAA, and citric acid were homogeneously dispersed in distilled water at 37°C by the physical mixing method. The suitability for ocular physiology was verified through characterization studies. pH measurement, swelling/erosion assessment, sol-gel transition temperature evaluation, and viscosity measurement were conducted as part of the characterization studies. Based on the evaluation of all data, the most suitable formulation(s) with optimal properties were selected, and accelerated stability studies were performed.
Result and Discussion: The combination of hyaluronic acid, polyacrylamide, and carboxymethyl cellulose was found suitable for in-situ hydrogel formulations with high water retention capacity, biocompatibility, and prolonged ocular residence time. During the 7-day accelerated in vitro stability study, no significant changes were observed in the pH and viscosity values of the formulations.