Release of <i>Aloe vera</i> Extracts from Therapeutic Lenses

Abstract

Aloe vera extracts have been used for drug therapy due to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and epithelia-regenerative actions. Considering the possible adverse side effects on the corneal surface of anti-microbial agent administration after ocular surgery, it is of interest to identify the ability of Aloe vera extract release from a therapeutic lens to prevent ocular irritation. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of different lens types on the availability and efficacy of releasing Aloe vera extracts in which they are soaked. Two lens types were examined: (1) non-ionic hydrogel lenses and (2) ionic hydrogel lenses. Aloe vera availability was quantified by LC–MS, and activity was quantified by a spectrophotometer (Nanodrop) at different times: (a) 30 min, (b) 60 min, (c) 2 h, (d) 6 h, and (e) 24 h. The lens allowing for the most abundant passage of Aloe vera extracts was the ionic hydrogel lens, followed by the non-ionic hydrogel lens. The obtained results demonstrate that the best lens allowing for the high and stable release of Aloe vera extract to the corneal surface are those composed of ionic hydrogels.

Keywords

• therapeutic lens
• <i>Aloe vera</i> extracts
• hydrogels
• non-ionic lens
• ionic lens