Axitinib-Loaded Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Formulation Development and In Vitro Characterization.

Despite all the research aiming to treat ocular diseases, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains one of the serious diseases worldwide, which needs to be treated. Neovascularization is a key factor in AMD and thus antiangiogenic therapy is beneficial in reducing the development of new abnormal blood vessels. Axitinib, multireceptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a small molecule that works by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR) responsible for developing neovascularization. The goal of this study is to develop a sustained release formulation of axitinib-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles to minimize frequent administration of the drug by intravitreal injection. The nanoparticles were characterized for particle size and zeta potential, as well as using differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electrode microscope, and in vitro drug release profile. The cytotoxicity of the formulation was evaluated on human retinal pigmented epithelium ARPE19 cells by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide salt] assay. The cellular uptake, antimigration assay, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression levels were found out in vitro using cells. The optimized formulation was 131.33 ± 31.20 nm in size with -4.63 ± 0.76 mV zeta potential. Entrapment efficiency was found to be 87.9% ± 2.7%. The cytotoxicity of ARPE19 cells was <12% for nanoparticles suggesting the in vitro compatibility at 10 μM concentration of drug. Cellular uptake, antimigration assay, and VEGF expression levels for the nanoparticles suggested greater uptake, significant antiangiogenic potential, and inhibition of VEGF activity. The results showed successful development of axitinib-loaded PLGA nanoparticles as an alternative potential treatment for AMD.