In vitro and in vivo biological assessment of dual drug-loaded coaxial nanofibers for the treatment of corneal abrasion

The treatment of corneal abrasion currently involves the topical administration antibiotics, with moxifloxacin HCl (0.5% w/v) eye drops being one most widely used treatments. Our previous work (Tawfik et al., 2020) involved development coaxial poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers loaded antibiotic anti-scarring agent pirfenidone in core shell respectively, a view to system comprising an ocular insert for combination therapy abrasion. In this study, we examine antimicrobial, pharmacokinetic properties fibers alongside consideration their toxicity propensity irritation. Minimum inhibitory concentration zone inhibition studies against S. aureus P. aeruginosa were performed, while fibroblast cell viability ?-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA, biomarker scar formation) measured using MTT Western Blot assays, respectively. Pharmacokinetic efficacy infection performed rabbit model, irritancy was assessed Draize test. demonstrated that antimicrobial activity preserved following encapsulation into nanofibers, downregulation ?-SMA concentrations below IC20 values (concentration required decrease by no more than 20%). study showed retention sustained release over 24-hour period, contrast equivalent which four times daily dosing. Evidence low level (according MMTS scale) irritation detected nanofiber systems. Overall, has dual drug-loaded shows potential once dosing as