Sorbitan ester nanoparticles as a novel tool for the treatment of ocular surface diseases

Abstract

In this thesis, we developed a new nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ocular surface diseases. Two types of sorbitan ester nanoparticles (SENS) for topical ocular administration, including a cationic nanosystem and its hyaluronic acid-coated version, were developed and optimized. Both types of nanoparticles were physicochemically characterized and evaluated in terms of biocompatibility, targeting ability and therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, the therapeutic potential of developed nanoparticles to treat dry eye disease was demonstrated in an in vivo disease model. Overall, results obtained in this work confirm the suitability and clinical potential of SENS as drug delivery systems for the topical treatment of ocular surface pathologies. Particularly, the beneficial effects of HA-coating on the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties, and therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles were elucidated.