AIMS The present study was aimed at developing in-situ gelling artificial tear formulations and a three-dimensional (3D) printed administration aid. MATERIALS AND METHODS In-situ gelling formulations were prepared using gellan gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Administration aid was developed by fused deposition modeling approach. Formulations were evaluated for physicochemical properties, sterility, in-vitro erythrocyte morphology assessment, disintegration, in-silico analysis, ex-vivo ocular surface retention, in-vivo ocular irritation and efficacy in dry eye disease model in rabbits. 3D printed device was evaluated for volume of dispensed droplets, usability, instillation success rate and acceptance by human participants. RESULTS Prepared formulations exhibited acceptable physicochemical properties, sterility and did not irritate the rabbit eye. In-silico analysis suggested interactions between gellan gum, HPMC and ocular proteins (mucin, p-glycoprotein, OATP2A1). Formulations showed an ocular retention time of ~20-24 hours and disintegrated within the same timeframe. A two-fold increase was recorded in the Schirmer 1 test score of formulations treated rabbit eye than the untreated counterpart. A ~ 21% increase in the droplet volume was observed in the presence of administration aid. 3D printed aid facilitated instillation of formulations. CONCLUSIONS Schirmer 1 test scores increased following treatment with prepared formulations as compared to untreated counterparts. An administration aid was successfully engineered for dispensing prepared formulations.
AIMS To develop novel iodine alginate calcium microspheres (IACMs) with intrinsic radiopacity, embolic capability, and body-temperature-assisted iodine conversion for anti-tumor effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS IACMs were synthesized via Ca2+ crosslinking based on the I- + I2 = I3- equilibrium. Physicochemical characterization was performed. Radiopacity was assessed in vitro and in vivo using digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography (CT). Embolization efficacy was evaluated in rabbit ear artery, normal liver, and VX2 HCC models (n = 5 per group). Cell viability was assessed using a CCK-8 assay. RESULTS IACMs achieved an encapsulation efficiency of 79.31% ± 2.08%, iodine loading rate of 44.78%. The median particle size (D50) was 176.6 µm. IACMs exhibited good X-ray visibility (in vivo/vitro) with CT attenuation of 4236 ± 48 HU. In the rabbit VX2 HCC model, IACMs produced sustained tumor hyperdensity with partial resolution of the lesion by day 7 (p < 0.001 vs control). In vitro, IACM extract reduced HepaRG and HepG2 cell viability to 8% and 10% at 72 h, respectively (p < 0.001), while direct contact showed no cytotoxicity (>98% viability). CONCLUSIONS IACMs integrate radiopacity, embolization, and temperature-assisted iodine conversion into a single platform, enabling real-time procedural guidance and noninvasive follow-up without exogenous contrast. IACMs show substantial potential for clinical translation in tumor embolization therapy.
METHODS A literature search was conducted using ProQuest and PubMed, covering publications from August 2016 to August 2026. Older references were included as appropriate.
