Ocular insert for sustained delivery of gatifloxacin sesquihydrate: Preparation and evaluations.

BACKGROUND: Many polymeric systems have been used to fabricate ocular inserts for improve ocular bioavailability and retention to drug of which matrix systems have shown advantages of reduce dosing frequency and increased corneal residence time. The objective of the present investigation was to prepare and evaluate ocular inserts of gatifloxacin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ocular insert was made from an aqueous dispersion of gatifloxacin, sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, and glycerin by solvent casting method. Ocular insert (5.5 mm) was cross-linked by CaCl(2) and was coated with Eudragit RL-100 or Eudragit RS-100. The ocular inserts were characterized for thickness; uniformity of weight, drug content uniformity, % moisture absorption or moisture loss, and surface pH. The in vitro diffusion studies were carried out by putting insert on Millipore membrane filter (0.8 µm) fixed between donor and receptor compartment of an all glass modified Franz diffusion cell. RESULTS: The thickness and drug content of ocular insert were found in the range of 0.11 ± 0.003 to 0.24 ± 0.010 mm and 0.718 ± 0.002 to 0.867 ± 0.007 mg, respectively. The surface pH, % moisture absorption or moisture loss and weight variation values were obtained in satisfactory range. The cross-linked ocular insert coated with Eudragit RL-100 shows maximum drug permeation i.e. 89.53 % ± 0.43 at 11 h. The stability studies suggest that all ocular insert remained stable, showed lesser degradation rate and maximum shelf life. CONCLUSION: Ocular inserts of gatifloxacin were prepared successfully by using solvent casting method for sustained drug delivery. The cross-linked and Eudragit RL-100 coated ocular insert of gatifloxacin provides better in vitro drug release and sustained upto 11 h.

Socket sclerosis: a rare complication obstructing orthodontic tooth movement.

Socket sclerosis is usually asymptomatic and does not require any treatment. The only potential complication arises during orthodontic treatment, wherein a sclerosed socket of the premolars may be an obstacle in closing spaces by movement of teeth through the extraction space. This article demonstrates the problems encountered during the orthodontic treatment of a 20-year-old woman with socket sclerosis and the treatment strategy employed to overcome the same.

Socket sclerosis, a rare complication in orthodontic tooth movement.

Socket sclerosis is usually asymptomatic and does not require any treatment. The only potential complication arises during orthodontic treatment, wherein sclerosed socket of the premolar teeth may be an obstacle in closing the space by movement of teeth through the extraction space. This article demonstrates the problems encountered during the orthodontic treatment of a 20-year-old Malaysian woman with socket sclerosis and the treatment strategy employed to overcome the same.