Thermosensitive PEG–PCL–PEG (PECE) hydrogel as an in situ gelling system for ocular drug delivery of diclofenac sodium

Figures & data

Scheme 1. Schematic representation of the synthesis of PEG–PCL–PEG block polymer.

Figure 1. Sol–gel transition behavior of PECE solution (30%; w/v).

Figure 2. Rheological property of PECE hydrogel (30%; w/v) as a function of temperature.

Figure 3. In vitro release profile of diclofenac sodium from 30% (w/v) PECE hydrogel as a function with time in PBS solution at 37 °C.

Figure 4. In vitro cytotoxicity of PECE (A, B) and DIC/PECE composite solution (C, D) against HCEC and L929 cells after 24 h of culturing.

Figure 5. DIC aqueous humor concentrations in rabbits after the instillation of the following: (1) 0.1% (w/v) DIC eye drops; (2) 0.1% (w/v) DIC-loaded PECE hydrogels/Data represent mean ± SD (n = 3).

Table 1. Pharmacokinetic parameters of DIC in aqueous humor of rabbits (mean ± SD; n = 3).

Formulation	Cmax (μg/ml)	tmax (h)	AUC (μg h/ml)
0.1% (w/v) commercial DIC eye drops	0.23 ± 0.12	1	2.21 ± 0.96
0.1% (w/v) DIC-loaded PECE hydrogels	0.44 ± 0.19	1	3.67 ± 0.65