FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACYCLOVIR LOADED OCULAR IN SITU GEL

Pharmaceutical

The present study focused on the development and evaluation of an ocular in situ gel formulation of Acyclovir designed to enhance precorneal residence time and provide sustained drug release. Nine formulations (F1–F9) were prepared using varying concentrations of sodium alginate and HPMC 15 cps, with acetate buffer (pH 5.0) as the vehicle. Physicochemical evaluations included clarity, drug content, pH determination, gelling capacity, and viscosity studies. Among all formulations, F5 demonstrated optimal performance, exhibiting excellent clarity, high drug content (99.65±0.33%), suitable pH adjustment (5.0 ± 0.1), and strong gelation capacity. Viscosity analysis confirmed ion activated gelation, with F5 showing balanced pre gelation flowability and post gelation strength. In vitro drug release studies revealed sustained release behavior, validating the formulation’s potential for prolonged ocular delivery. Stability testing under accelerated conditions (40±2 °C/ 75±5% RH) confirmed minimal drug degradation and consistent gelation capacity over 30 days. Overall, the optimized formulation F5 demonstrated robust physicochemical stability, effective sustained release, and promising shelf life potential, making it a suitable candidate for ocular drug delivery systems.

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