Synthesis and Evaluation of Water Insoluble but Swellable Bioadhesive Polymer for Ocular Drug Delivery

Introduction: Our main purpose of present study was to find out the effect of different crosslinking agents along with its concentration during polymer synthesis and to find the most suitable polymer for ocular drug delivery with optimum bioadhesive strength and less irritation potential. It was expected that the synthesized polymer will remain adhered to the conjunctival mucin layer thus preventing loss of drug by precorneal factors. Materials and methods: Acrylic acid procured from Loba chemicals was polymerized with Divinyl glycol from Merck specialities Private limited, Divinylbenzene and 2, 5-dimethyl-1, 5-hexadiene from Alfa Aesar to form water insoluble swellable polymer. Different parameters like density, polymer hydration, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Infra-Red spectroscopy, X ray diffraction and mucoadhesive strength were determined. Polymer hydration was studied with respect to time, pH and ionic strength. HET-CAM test and Draize skin irritation test was performed to evaluate the degree of irritation caused by these polymers. Results and Discussion: It was found that as more hydrophobic groups were introduced in the polymer structure, hydration potential was reduced. The effect of concentration of crosslinking agent on bioadhesive strength was significant. With increase in density of crosslinking agent, the bioadhesive strength decreased. Polymers were found to be non-irritant to slight irritant in nature.