Abstract
Acetozolamide-ACZ, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor- is still the most effective systemic drug for glaucoma treatment. Due to its limited ocular bioavailability, topical formulations are not available yet. This study introduces within the framework of nanotechnology three nanopreparations of acetozolamide for topical application, one of them is liposomal phospholipid vehicle and the other two preparations are propolis and Punica granatum (pomegranate). The hypotensive effect of these different nanopreparations in lowering the increased intraocular pressure that was induced in experimental rabbits is monitored for 130 hrs. Structural characteristics of the optic nerve dissected from all involved groups were studied by Fourier transfrom infrared spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate the impact of the topically applied acetozolamide nanopreparations in lowering the intraocular pressure to its normotensive control value. On the other hand, the optic nerve characteristics were found to be dependent on the way acetozolamide introduced. Glaucoma affects structural components that contain OH group and increases β-turns of the protein secondary structure while, reducing the content of both α-helix and Turns. In the same context, liposomal-acetozolamide and propolis nanopreparations protecting the optic nerve protein secondary structure from these changes associated with glaucoma.