Efficient liposomal encapsulation and intraocular diffusion of astaxanthin in a topical ophthalmic delivery system

This study evaluates the encapsulation efficiency and intraocular diffusion of astaxanthin-loaded liposomes for ophthalmic topical delivery. Liposomes were prepared using self-forming method and subjected to physicochemical and microscopic characterizations, achieving over 98% encapsulation. The results indicate that the formulation is suitable for ocular application. In vitro intraocular diffusion assays using rabbit corneal tissue demonstrated significantly enhanced permeation of liposomal astaxanthin compared to free astaxanthin. These findings suggest that the liposomal system can effectively deliver astaxanthin across the corneal barrier, making it a promising candidate for treating retinal conditions related to oxidative stress.

Highlights

• Developed a novel liposomal formulation for ophthalmic delivery of astaxanthin.
• Achieved high encapsulation efficiency of astaxanthin.
• A formulation with suitable physicochemical properties for intraocular application.
• Enhanced astaxanthin release and diffusion across the cornea.

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Materials

Astax (≥97 %), polyethyleneglycol(PEG)-12 glyceryl dimyristate, polyethylene glycol (15)-hydroxystearate (Kolliphor HS15), ethyl alcohol, citric acid anhydrous, sodium citrate dihydrate, benzalkonium chloride, methanol, acetonitrile (HPLC grade), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St.Louis,MO,USA). New Zealand rabbit corneas were collected and preserved in DMEM with 1 % antibiotic at 4 °C until use in diffusion assays.

Marisol Luviano, Oscar Guillermo Zúñiga-González, Edgar J. López-Naranjo, José Navarro-Partida, Eulogio Orozco-Guareño, Daniel E. Ramírez-Arreola, Luis J. González-Ortiz, Efficient liposomal encapsulation and intraocular diffusion of astaxanthin in a topical ophthalmic delivery system, Materials Letters, 2025, 138034, ISSN 0167-577X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2025.138034.

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