Formulation evaluation and validation of ophthalmic emulsion of docosahexaenoic acid

Abstract

The present study aimed at the formulation evaluation and validation of ophthalmic emulsion of docosahexaenoic acid for ophthalmic delivery of drug. Preparation of oil-in-water (o/w) type emulsion is one of the approaches to formulate drugs that are poorly water-soluble. When DHA is administered in capsule dosage form then less amount of drug reaches to the site of inflammation in the eye hence more dose is required, still the inflammation is at risk. Hence, for the direct application of DHA to the eye it can be prepared in the form of eye drops. As the fish oil is richest source of DHA it was isolated from it. The isolated compound was identified by thin layer chromatography by comparing it with standard DHA. Further analysis of isolated compound was done by gas chromatography. The oil in water emulsion was formulated containing 3% DHA oil, 1% tween 80 and 0.5% span 80. The appearance of the emulsion was milky white, the median particle size was 0.4 m, viscosity was 30 cp, The emulsion was stable at 25C and 40C for more than 3 months. furthermore the formulated emulsion was validated for the same physical properties which are previously evaluated. The analysis of DHA in the emulsion was done by gas chromatography.