Comparative study of cyclosporine A liposomes and emulsions for ophthalmic drug delivery: Process optimization through response surface methodology (RSM) and biocompatibility evaluation

Herein, cyclosporine A loaded liposomes (CsA-Lips) were fabricated aimed at improving the biocompatibility of the ophthalmic formulation and getting rid of the direct contact of ocular tissues with irritant excipients. Response surface methodology was exploited in order to investigate the influence of miscellaneous factors on the key characteristics of CsA-Lips. Ratio of EPC:CsA, ratio of EPC:Chol, and stirring speed were selected as the independent variables, while size, drug-loading content (DL), and drug-loading content (DL) loss rate were applied as the response variables. In case of the maximal lack-of-fit p-value and minimum sequential p-value, quadratic model was regarded as the fittest model to analyze the data. The correlation of independent variables with response variables was described by three-dimension surface figures. Optimized formulation for CsA-Lips was obtained with ratio of EPC:CsA set as 15, ratio of EPC:Chol set as 2, and stirring speed set as 800 rpm. The particle size of CsA-Lips was 129.2 nm after optimalization while their TEM images exhibited spherical unilamellar vesicles with clearly shell-core structure. CsA released more rapidly from CsA-Lips in comparison with self-made emulsion and Restasis®. Besides, minimum cytotoxicity of CsA-Lips was perceived via both MTT method and LDH method, indicating the excellent compatibility of the ophthalmic formulation. Simultaneously, CsA-Lips showed enhanced nonspecific internalization in the cytoplasm with a time-dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, CsA-Lips could be adhibited as the hopeful ophthalmic drug delivery system clinically for dry eye syndrome (DES). [Display omitted] •Cyclosporin A liposomes were fabricated via ethanol injection method.•Response surface methodology was exploited to advance the formulation.•Cyclosporin A liposomes exhibited excellent colloidal stability.•Cyclosporin A liposomes possessed superb cellular uptake efficiency.•Cyclosporin A liposomes displayed fantastic in vitro compatibility and safety.