Preparation and in vitro evaluation of voriconazole-containing particulate systems for ocular application

Providing effective treatment with ocular drug applications is very difficult due to various anatomical, physiological and biological obstacles. The basic approach in ocular applications is to increase corneal permeability, especially for topical applications, to increase the solubility of active substances with solubility problems, or to formulate new drug carrier systems that can prolong the residence time of the prepared formulations on the ocular surface. Newly developed drug carrier systems reduce the frequency of application and enable the creation of systems with fewer side effects. In addition, they increase the solubility of active substances with solubility problems, resulting in improvement in bioavailability. Since ocular infections are very serious disorders that can cause vision loss, they usually require repeated applications for effective treatment. Voriconazole (VOR) is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent. Despite its high effectiveness, its low solubility in water limits its bioavailability. Within the scope of this thesis study, effective and reliable polymeric nanoparticles containing VOR for ocular application were prepared. In our thesis study, polymeric nanoparticle formulations containing Soluplus® (SOL), Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Eudragit® FS100 (EFS100) and VOR were developed. Particles were formed by spray drying method. The physicochemical characteristics, in vitro release profiles and antifungal activities of the prepared particles were examined.