Obtaining of Thin Ophthalmic Polymer Films

Thin films, developed and characterized with Nanotechnology methods, are commonly used as biomaterials because of their unique interfacial and mechanical properties. Application of thin films in medical specialties such as cardiology [1], orthopedics [2] and urology [3] leads to new approaches to therapeutic challenges. Obstacles related to safety and cost effectiveness of nanotechnology research remain, however those are not insurmountable and thin films are expected to contribute significantly to biomedical research. Primary aim of this work is to discuss applications of thin films in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of ophthalmic diseases.


Introduction
Thin films, developed and characterized with Nanotechnology methods, are commonly used as biomaterials because of their unique interfacial and mechanical properties. Application of thin films in medical specialties such as cardiology [1], orthopedics [2] and urology [3] leads to new approaches to therapeutic challenges. Obstacles related to safety and cost effectiveness of nanotechnology research remain, however those are not insurmountable and thin films are expected to contribute significantly to biomedical research. Primary aim of this work is to discuss applications of thin films in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of ophthalmic diseases.
The pioneering group of polymers used as components of ophthalmic preformed hydrogels is the family of cellulosic derivatives. Because pure cellulose is not water soluble due to its relatively high crystallinity, cellulosic derivatives have been used for a long time as viscosifiers in collyria. Methylcellulose (MC) was first introduced in ophthalmic formulations in the 1940s as a mean of decreasing their fluidity. Since then, cellulosic polymers have been extensively studied in human, as well as in veterinary medicine, for ocular administration. The cellulosic derivatives most commonly used in ophthalmology are: Methylcellulose, Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), Hydroxypropycellulose (HPC), Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC).
Ophthalmic films is the one of the new dosage forms intended for the prevention and treatment of eye viruses diseases of various etiologies. The goal of this research is development of ophthalmic films based on water-soluble purified Na-CMC with degree of substitution (DS)=0.75-0.85 and degree of polymerization (DP)=350-850, contained antiviral drug "SelAgrip" which approved for use in medical practice as antiviruses medicine.
At the first stage of investigation ophthalmic films from aqueous solutions of Na-CMC of different DP and DP were obtained and their physico-chemical and physico-mechanical properties were studied. Bio-soluble antiviral ophthalmic polymeric eye films were obtained by dispersing aqueous solutions of biologic active substance of "SelAgrip" in aqueous solutions of Na-CMC. The ophthalmic films was obtained from 2% of aqueous Na-CMC solutions on the surface glass plates. After the solvent-water was removed, ophthalmic films were formed (Figure 1).
The use of various DS and DP as polymer matrix of Na-CMC contributed to the regulation of the periods of swelling and dissolution of the ophthalmic drug film in the tear fluid during 20-90 minutes. It is established that when the concentration of substance in the composition of the polymer matrix varies from 6 to 20%, the ophthalmic drug films exhibit low toxicity and high specific antiviral activity. Ophthalmic drug films (ODF) are oval-shaped plates consisting of a biologically soluble polymer and a drug substance compatible with eye tissues.
It can be seen from Figure 2, nanoparticles of "SelAgrip" substance spherical form with sizes 30 ± 5nm with a fairly high uniformity of nanoparticle size distribution are observed on the surface of the films.

Conclusion
On the base of the results of experimental investigations established that, by changing parameter reaction process should be obtain prolonged form of ophthalmic drug films based on sodium carboxymethylcellulose and biologically active substance "SelAgrip". Application of prolonged form of ophthalmic drug films for the treatment of various ophthalmic diseases, improves the efficiency and reduces the negative impact of drugs on healthy organs.