An ocular delivery system for tacrolimus (FK506) based on a combined strategy of niosomes and mucoadhesive hyaluronic acid (HA), i.e., FK506HA-coated niosomes, was developed.
HA-coating exhibited enhancement of the adhesion strength and rate of niosomes to mucin by surface plasmon resonance.
HA-coated niosomes prolonged FK506 precorneal retention, increased its aqueous humor pharmacokinetics, and improved its ophthalmic bioavailability.
HA-coated niosomes is a promising approach for ocular targeting delivery of FK506.