Development of topical chitosan/ β-glycerophosphate-based hydrogel loaded with levofloxacin in the treatment of keratitis: An study.

species are responsible for most cases of post-operative endophthalmitis. Topical ocular drug was applied for post-operative infection prevention, but the way of delivery encounters many challenges in terms of patient's compliance, drug efficacy, and drug penetration. We used the levofloxacin-loaded chitosan/gelatin/β-glycerophosphate hydrogel sustained releasing system with good anti-bacterial efficacy and biocompatibility, which we had previously designed, for keratitis model to test the preclinical drug efficacy and to determine drug level in the anterior chamber of the eye. The result showed that the corneal keratitis model with infection revealed mild opacity over the central cornea with stromal infiltrate, but without obvious stromal infiltration post levofloxacin-loaded hydrogel treatment after 24 h of infection. Quantification of viable bacteria showed a significant anti-bacterial activity. The histological evidence also showed no visible after levofloxacin-loaded hydrogel treatment, with a significant anti-inflammatory effect. We also examined the drug concentration in the aqueous humor 24 h after instilling one drop of the levofloxacin-loaded hydrogel. The concentration achieved to a desired drug level. These results suggested that by the model, levofloxacin-loaded hydrogel can be applied for treatment in post-operative endophthalmitis or keratitis after the ophthalmic surgery.