ABSTRACT:
Glaucoma is an ocular disease characterized by the increasing of the intraocular pressure (IOP), optic nerve head changing and decreasing of retinal sensitivity that ultimately lead to the loss of vision. Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the world. The present study involved formulation and evaluation of mucoadhesive Timolol maleate loaded, liquid crystalline cubogel for the treatment of glaucoma. Firstly cubosome was prepared by top down technique using 10:1 ratio of lipid (glycerol monooleate) and surfactant (poloxamer 407). Cubosome was then converted into cubogel by dispersing it into in-situ gel formulation. Cubogel formulations were then evaluated for pH, drug content, viscosity and mucoadhesive properties. Mucoadhesive strength was determined by ultracentrifugation and turbidity method. Photomicroscope showed bilayer structure cubosome. Cubosomal dispersion was milky white in appearance and having particle size of 181 nm. The drug content was found to be 97.28±0.048% and 98.95±0.041% respectively, for CG1 and CG2 formulation. Prepared cubogel formulation showed significantly higher mucoadhesive behaviour compared to cubosomal dispersion. Finally, it can be concluded that cubogel could increase the residence time of drug in the eye by its mucoadhesive property and reduce number of application of drugs. Hence, it can be beneficial in case of glaucoma as required long term treatment.