Injectable bio-responsive hydrogel for therapy of inflammation related eyelid diseases

Eyelid plays a vital role in protecting the eye from injury or infection. Inflammation related eyelid diseases, such as blepharitis, are the most common ocular disorders that affect human's vision and quality of life. Due to the physiological barriers and anatomical structures of the eye, the bioavailability of topical administrated therapeutics is typically less than 5%. Herein, we developed a bio-responsive hydrogel drug delivery system using a generally recognized as safe compound, triglycerol monostearate (TG-18), for in-situ eyelid injection with sustained therapeutics release. In vitro, drug release and disassembly time of Rosiglitazone loaded hydrogel (Rosi-hydrogel) were estimated in the presence or absence of MMP-9, respectively. Moreover, the disassembly of TG-18 hydrogel was evaluated with 9-month-old and 12-month-old mice in vivo. Owing to the bio-responsive nature of Rosi-hydrogel, the on-demand Rosiglitazone release is achieved in response to local enzymes. These findings are proved by further evaluation in the age-related meibomian gland dysfunction mice model, and the bio-responsive hydrogel is used as an in-situ injection to treat eyelid diseases. Taken together, the in-situ eyelid injection with sustained drug release opens a window for the therapy of inflammation related eyelid diseases. •This study is the first application of injectable bio-responsive hydrogel for therapy of inflammation related eyelid diseases.•The enzyme response characteristic is extremely suitable for enhancing drug bioavailability in ocular drug delivery.•In-situ release of rosiglitazone can effectively treat age-related meibomian gland dysfunction in the mice model.