Posted by Thiolated β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) has the potential to enhance mucoadhesive and permeation enhancing properties on ocular mucosa. Thiolated β-CD was synthesized via replacement of all primary hydroxyl groups on β-CD backbone by halogen followed by substitution with thiol groups. Thiolated β-CD displayed 5360 ± 412 µmol/g thiol groups.
The newly synthesized oligomer did not show any hemolytic effect on red blood cells at a concentration of 0.5% (m/v) for an incubation period of 3 h and minimal corneal irritation effects without any inflammation within 72 h. Thiolated β-CD exhibited a 5.3-fold improved aqueous solubility as compared to the unmodified β-CD. Thiolated oligomer (0.5% m/v) enhanced the viscosity of mucus up to 6.2-fold within 4 h and provided a 26-fold prolonged ocular residence time due to mucoadhesion. Moreover, 0.5% (m/v) thiolated β-CD enhanced the permeation of sodium fluorescein 9.6-, 7.1- and 5.3-fold on conjunctiva, sclera and cornea, respectively. Based on these findings, thiolated β-CD might be a promising auxiliary agent for ocular drug delivery.
MH Asim, M Ijaz, A Mahmood, P Knoll, A Jalil, S Arshad, A Bernkop-Schnürch (2021) Thiolated cyclodextrins: Mucoadhesive and permeation enhancing excipients for ocular drug delivery- International Journal of Pharmaceutics 2021, 120451,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120451.