Optimization and Physicochemical Characterization of Thermosensitive Poloxamer Gel Containing Puerarin for Ophthalmic Use

The purpose of this study was to systematically optimize an ophthalmic thermosensitive poloxamer analogs gel containing puerarin that was a free flowing liquid below the room temperature and could shift to a gel with an eligible gel strength and bioadhesive force in physiological condition (dilution by the simulated tear fluid and at 35.0℃). A two-factor, five-level central composite design (CCD) was employed to the optimization procedure. The effect of formulation variables (the w/v concentration of poloxamer 407 (X_1) and poloxamer 188 (X_2)) on a number of response variables (the gelation temperature before (Y_1) and after (Y_2) the simulated tear fluid diluted, the difference between them (Y_3)) was systemically investigated. A second order polynomial equation was fitted to the data. The resulting equation and response surface plots were used to predict the responses in the optimal region. Finally, 21.0% (w/v) poloxamer 407 and 5.0% (w/v) poloxamer 188 were chosen as the optimal poloxamer gel matrix. The influence of the other ingredients on the physicochemical properties of the formulation was also investigated. Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) enhanced the gelation temperature and reduced the gel strength and the bioadhesive force, while puerarin and benzalkonium chloride (BC) had a comparatively smaller influence. All the isotonicity agents studied had the gelation temperatures lowered, and the gel strengths and the bioadhesive forces enhanced. But only sodium chloride appears to be a promising isotonicity agent for the poloxamer gel containing puerarin, HPCD and BC.