Baicalein nanoemulsion in situ GEL for dry age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Effective management of posterior ocular segment disorders necessitates sustained retinal drug delivery and rational therapeutic selection. Despite significant advances, developing drug delivery systems that simultaneously achieve deep tissue penetration and prolonged ocular surface retention remains challenging. To bridge this gap, we engineered a borneol- decorated baicalein nanoemulsion in-situ gel (Bor/Bai-N@GEL) ophthalmic formulation for dry age-related macular degeneration (d-AMD). The system integrates a borneol-decorated baicalein nanoemulsion with an ion- sensitive hydrogel. Comparative analysis revealed Bor/Bai-N@GEL’s superior therapeutic performance, attributable to the prolonged ocular residence time and enhanced transcorneal permeability. Pharmacodynamic profiling demonstrated marked attenuation of inflammatory cytokines, oxidative markers, and apoptotic signaling in murine d-AMD models. In summary, our work provided a meaningful delivery strategy and research basis to treat fundus diseases. This approach offers the potential to conveniently treat early-stage d-AMD at home, improving patient adherence and overall treatment outcomes.