Protecting Tear-Film Stability under Adverse Environmental Conditions Using a Mucomimetic with a Non-Newtonian Viscosity Agent

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Tamarind-seed polysaccharide (TSP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) have mucoadhesive properties that improve drug absorption and delay in drug elimination from the ocular surface. We aimed to evaluate TSP/HA-containing formulation for its efficiency in dry-eye...

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Main Authors: Ali Abusharha, E. Ian Pearce, Tayyaba Afsar, Suhail Razak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Medicina
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/10/1862
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author Ali Abusharha
E. Ian Pearce
Tayyaba Afsar
Suhail Razak
author_facet Ali Abusharha
E. Ian Pearce
Tayyaba Afsar
Suhail Razak
author_sort Ali Abusharha
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background and Objectives:</i> Tamarind-seed polysaccharide (TSP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) have mucoadhesive properties that improve drug absorption and delay in drug elimination from the ocular surface. We aimed to evaluate TSP/HA-containing formulation for its efficiency in dry-eye symptoms induced by adverse environments and the interaction between mucomimic polymer and tear-film parameters. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> The participants were exposed to 5% relative humidity (RH) in a Controlled Environment Chamber (CEC) under constant room temperature (21 °C). Tear-film parameters were assessed at 40% RH and 5% RH. Rohto Dry Eye Relief drops were used in the two treatment modalities, protection (drops instilled before exposure to the dry environment) and relief (drops instilled after exposure to the dry environment). The HIRCAL grid, Servomed EP3 Evaporimeter, and Keeler’s TearScope-Plus were used to screen for non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), tear evaporation rate, and lipid-layer thickness (LLT) using protection and relief treatment methodology. <i>Results:</i> LLT was found to be significantly thinner at 5% RH compared with at 40% RH (<i>p</i> = 0.007). The median LLT dropped from 50–70 nm (grade 3) at 40% RH to 10–50 nm (grade 2) at 5% RH. TSP/HA eye drops significantly augment LLT in both treatment modalities, protection (<i>p</i> = 0.01) and relief (<i>p</i> = 0.004) at 5% RH. The mean evaporation rate doubled from 40.93 at 40% RH to 82.42 g/m<sup>2</sup>/h after exposure to 5% RH. In protection mode, the TSP/HA allowed the average evaporation rate to be much lower than when no TSP/HA was used at 5% RH (<i>p</i> < 0.008). No alteration in evaporation rate was recorded when the TSP/HA drop was used after exposure (relief). The mean NITBUT was reduced from 13 s in normal conditions to 6 s in the dry environment. Instillation of TSP/HA eye drops resulted in significant improvement (<i>p</i> = 0.006) in tear stability, where the NITBUT increased to 8 s in both protection (before exposure) and relief (after exposure) (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Although improved, these values were still significantly lower than NITBUT observed at 40% RH. <i>Conclusions:</i> Significant protection of tear-film parameters was recorded post instillation of TSP/HA eye drop under a desiccating environment. Both treatment methods (protection and relief) were shown to be effective. The presence of TSP/HA enhances the effectiveness of teardrops in protecting the tear-film parameters when exposed to adverse environments.
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spelling doaj.art-c13a09a348a34adfaed07b200f02fa622023-11-19T17:18:22ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442023-10-015910186210.3390/medicina59101862Protecting Tear-Film Stability under Adverse Environmental Conditions Using a Mucomimetic with a Non-Newtonian Viscosity AgentAli Abusharha0E. Ian Pearce1Tayyaba Afsar2Suhail Razak3Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Vision Science, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, 70 Cowcaddence Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UKDepartment of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Tamarind-seed polysaccharide (TSP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) have mucoadhesive properties that improve drug absorption and delay in drug elimination from the ocular surface. We aimed to evaluate TSP/HA-containing formulation for its efficiency in dry-eye symptoms induced by adverse environments and the interaction between mucomimic polymer and tear-film parameters. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> The participants were exposed to 5% relative humidity (RH) in a Controlled Environment Chamber (CEC) under constant room temperature (21 °C). Tear-film parameters were assessed at 40% RH and 5% RH. Rohto Dry Eye Relief drops were used in the two treatment modalities, protection (drops instilled before exposure to the dry environment) and relief (drops instilled after exposure to the dry environment). The HIRCAL grid, Servomed EP3 Evaporimeter, and Keeler’s TearScope-Plus were used to screen for non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), tear evaporation rate, and lipid-layer thickness (LLT) using protection and relief treatment methodology. <i>Results:</i> LLT was found to be significantly thinner at 5% RH compared with at 40% RH (<i>p</i> = 0.007). The median LLT dropped from 50–70 nm (grade 3) at 40% RH to 10–50 nm (grade 2) at 5% RH. TSP/HA eye drops significantly augment LLT in both treatment modalities, protection (<i>p</i> = 0.01) and relief (<i>p</i> = 0.004) at 5% RH. The mean evaporation rate doubled from 40.93 at 40% RH to 82.42 g/m<sup>2</sup>/h after exposure to 5% RH. In protection mode, the TSP/HA allowed the average evaporation rate to be much lower than when no TSP/HA was used at 5% RH (<i>p</i> < 0.008). No alteration in evaporation rate was recorded when the TSP/HA drop was used after exposure (relief). The mean NITBUT was reduced from 13 s in normal conditions to 6 s in the dry environment. Instillation of TSP/HA eye drops resulted in significant improvement (<i>p</i> = 0.006) in tear stability, where the NITBUT increased to 8 s in both protection (before exposure) and relief (after exposure) (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Although improved, these values were still significantly lower than NITBUT observed at 40% RH. <i>Conclusions:</i> Significant protection of tear-film parameters was recorded post instillation of TSP/HA eye drop under a desiccating environment. Both treatment methods (protection and relief) were shown to be effective. The presence of TSP/HA enhances the effectiveness of teardrops in protecting the tear-film parameters when exposed to adverse environments.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/10/1862tamarind-seed polysaccharide (TSP)hyaluronic acid (HA)Rohto Dry Eye Relief dropsdrug absorptionocular surfaceteardrops
spellingShingle Ali Abusharha
E. Ian Pearce
Tayyaba Afsar
Suhail Razak
Protecting Tear-Film Stability under Adverse Environmental Conditions Using a Mucomimetic with a Non-Newtonian Viscosity Agent
Medicina
tamarind-seed polysaccharide (TSP)
hyaluronic acid (HA)
Rohto Dry Eye Relief drops
drug absorption
ocular surface
teardrops
title Protecting Tear-Film Stability under Adverse Environmental Conditions Using a Mucomimetic with a Non-Newtonian Viscosity Agent
title_full Protecting Tear-Film Stability under Adverse Environmental Conditions Using a Mucomimetic with a Non-Newtonian Viscosity Agent
title_fullStr Protecting Tear-Film Stability under Adverse Environmental Conditions Using a Mucomimetic with a Non-Newtonian Viscosity Agent
title_full_unstemmed Protecting Tear-Film Stability under Adverse Environmental Conditions Using a Mucomimetic with a Non-Newtonian Viscosity Agent
title_short Protecting Tear-Film Stability under Adverse Environmental Conditions Using a Mucomimetic with a Non-Newtonian Viscosity Agent
title_sort protecting tear film stability under adverse environmental conditions using a mucomimetic with a non newtonian viscosity agent
topic tamarind-seed polysaccharide (TSP)
hyaluronic acid (HA)
Rohto Dry Eye Relief drops
drug absorption
ocular surface
teardrops
url https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/10/1862
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