LAUSR

Abstract To demonstrate a combinatorial drug loaded nanosheet made of alginate and chitosan which reduces intraocular pressure in a slow and sustained manner depicted by in-vivo studies. The combinatorial drugs loaded were latanoprost along with timolol and nanosheet was termed LATINA. LATINA was fabricated using spin coating procedure and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, adhesive peel strength, burst and cytotoxicity tests. In-vitro studies of drugs were also performed. It was clearly seen that LATINA was stable, flexible, durable, biocompatible and biodegradable drug delivery system. The main advantage provided by the nanosheet technology is the properties which could be controlled by altering the thickness of the sheet. The slow and sustained drug release from LATINA ensured that the nanosheet may be renewed once weekly instead of daily as for other ophthalmic formulations for glaucoma. This also led to reduction of intra ocular pressure (IOP) of eye. LATINA was also found to be non-irritable to the cornea of eye. Hence, it may be safely concluded that with additional research, LATINA may prove to be the best option for drug delivery to the cornea.