Evaluation of nanoformulated therapeutics in an ex-vivo bovine corneal irritation model

•In vitro corneal irritation model.•Bovine lactoferrin and recombinant, SurR9-C84A proteins with least possible toxic effects.•Nanoparticulate formulations for irritation evaluation.•Improvements in the light transmittance and reduced inflammation observed.

AimTo determine the internalization and protective effects of potential ophthalmic formulations and nanoformulated natural proteins in ex-vivo bovine corneal alkali burn model.MethodsThe bovine cornea obtained were subjected to the 0.5 N NaOH insult that induced alkali burn and inflammation as observed in the in vivo situation. The toxic effects of the nanoformulation were evaluated in the normal and insult induced cornea using histological analysis. Internalization studies were carried out using in vivo imaging and analysis (IVIS, PerkinElmer, USA).ResultsThe nanoformulations employed in this study showed no obvious changes in the integrity of the cornea. Further, improvements in the light transmittance and reduced inflammation were observed. The IVIS showed a dose dependant increase in the uptake of the nanoformulations with time.ConclusionThe nanoformulated bovine lactoferrin and SurR9-C84A (SR9) proteins evaluated in the ex vivo bovine corneal irritation model is the first of its kind, and we report here the non-toxic and therapeutic potential of these formulations for topical applications.