Long-Acting Hydrogel Eye Drops Composite Sequentially Releases Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Carbomer for Synergistic Promotion of the Repair of Corneal Epithelium

Abstract

Corneal epithelial injury is a high-incidence corneal disease. The purpose of this research is to determine how basic fibroblast growth factors affect bFGF and Carbomer (CAR) long-acting hydrogel eye drops regarding the repair of corneal epithelial injury. Liposome hydrogel eye drops containing both bFGF and CAR were prepared by a thin film hydration method (bFGF-CAR-HED). Particle size, potential and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the performance. UV was used to calculate the encapsulation rate, drug loading, and in vitro release. The antioxidant capacity was detected by ABTS and FRAP. Safety was evaluated by cell assay. After parallel mechanical corneal epithelium injury in normal mice, the repair of corneal epithelium injury, sensitivity repair and the expression of inflammatory factors in the cornea were detected. bFGF-CAR-HED is a multilayer liposome with good stability with a particle size of 308.4 ± 7.25 nm, and a potential of 36.3 ± 6.27 mV. The encapsulation rate of bFGF in bFGF-CAR-HED was 92.01 ± 1.05%, the encapsulation rate of CAR was 91.94 ± 0.34%, the drug load of bFGF was 18.82 ± 0.35%, and the drug load of CAR was 19.97 ± 0.39%, which showed sustained release function, low cytotoxicity and good antioxidant capacity. Long-acting hydrogel eye drops can strengthen drug application performance and extend the time of drug action, effectively improving bFGF, eye absorbency and the function of CAR, effectively promoting corneal epithelium damage repair and restoring corneal sensitivity, thereby providing better strategies for promoting corneal epithelium damage repair.