Preparation and evaluation of levofloxacin microemulsion for ocular drug delivery

Year 2025, Volume: 29 Issue: 1, 407 - 417

Anayatollah Salimi

Abstract

Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibacterial drug belonging to the third generation of fluoroquinolones.
The project aims to develop a novel microemulsion system for effectively delivering levofloxacin to the eye. In addition,
this study assessed the physical and chemical characteristics of a substance and its ability to permeate through the eyes
of rabbits. The microemulsions (MEs) were evaluated for stability, drug release, viscosity, pH, particle size, and cornea
permeability in rabbits. This study employed a three-variable design with two levels to prepare eight samples and ana
lyze data. Based on research results, ME formulations had an average size ranging between 8.52 and 25.2 nm and a pH
range of 4.45 to 6.01. Content viscosity ranged from 170-400 cps, and based on the drug release curve, 89.49% of the me
dicinal product was released within the first day of the trial. Drug sensitivity in rabbit cornea was highest in ME-LEV-5
(50.89%) and lowest in ME-LEV-7 (23.78%). This study demonstrates how the physical properties and permeability of the
drug during drug penetration of ME formulations can be modified by changes in the quantity and quantity of ME. This
phenomenon may be due to changes in the corneal structure caused by different ME components.

Keywords

Corneal Permeability, Microemulsion, Levofloxacin, Rabbit, drug delivery

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