Mucoadhesive PEGylated inulin-based self-assembling nanoparticles: In vitro and ex vivo transcorneal permeation enhancement of corticosteroids

As transcorneal drug delivery is still a challenge, the scope of the present study was to prepare useful nano-systems able to enhance transcorneal permeation/penetration of drugs. Moreover, this work aims to evaluate the effectiveness of inulin-based nanosystems in the specific field of ocular drug delivery and the effect of PEG chains to promote mucoadhesion, stability and transcorneal penetration/permeation enhancer effect of self-assembling nanoparticles in vitro (transwell systems and HCE) and ex vivo (Franz cells and bovine cornea). In particular, inulin was chosen as the starting natural polysaccharide polymer to design a novel amphiphilic derivative named INU-EDA-RA-PEG capable of self-assembling to form self-assembling nanoparticles and corticosteroids-loaded self-assembling nanoparticles. As observed, self-assembling nanoparticles show appropriate particle size values, mucoadhesivity and cytocompatibility. Moreover, self-assembling nanoparticles are able to act efficiently as permeation/penetration enhancer. Additionally, the presence of PEG has positive influence. Thus, the developed inulin-based nanosystems represent a promising tool to improve transcorneal delivery of corticosteroids.