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Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs), owing to their antioxidant property, have recently emerged as therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, intravenous CNPs are limited due to their poor physicochemical properties, rapid blood clearance and poor blood–brain penetration. Thus, we developed intranasal CNPs and evaluated its potential in experimental AD. CNPs were synthesized using homogenous precipitation method and optimized through Box–Behnken Design. The formation of CNPs was confirmed by UV spectroscopy and FTIR. The optimized CNP were spherical, small (134.0 ± 3.35 nm), uniform (PDI, 0.158 ± 0.0019) and stable (ZP, −21.8 ± 4.94 mV). The presence of Ce in CNPs was confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Further, the X-ray diffraction spectra revealed that the CNPs were nano-crystalline. The DPPH assay showed that at concentration of 50 µg/mL, the percentage radical scavenging was 95.40 ± 0.006%. Results of the in vivo behavioral studies in the scopolamine-induced Alzheimer rat model showed that intranasal CNPs dose dependently reversed cognitive ability. At dose of 6 mg/kg the morris water maze results (escape latency, path length and dwell time) and passive avoidance results (retention latency) were significantly different from untreated group but not significantly different from positive control group (rivastigmine patch, 13.3 mg/24 h). Further, biochemical estimation showed that intranasal CNP upregulated the levels of SOD and GSH in brain. In conclusion, intranasal CNPs, through its antioxidant effect, could be a prospective therapeutics for the treatment of cognitive impairment in AD.

At high altitudes, drops in oxygen concentration result in the creation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), which cause a variety of health concerns. We addressed these health concerns and reported the synthesis, characterization, and biological activities of a series of 10 oxoquinolines. N-Aryl-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoquinoline-1(2H)carboxamides (5a–j) were accessed in two steps under ultrasonicated irradiation, as per the reported method. The anticancer activity was tested at 10 µM against a total of 5 dozen cancer cell lines obtained from nine distinct panels, as per the National Cancer Institute (NCI US) protocol. The compounds 5a (TK-10 (renal cancer); %GI = 82.90) and 5j (CCRF-CEM (Leukemia); %GI = 58.61) showed the most promising anticancer activity. Compound 5a also demonstrated promising DPPH free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 14.16 ± 0.42 µM. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and carbonic anhydrase (CA), two prospective cancer inhibitor targets, were used in the molecular docking studies. Molecular docking studies of ligand 5a (docking score = −8.839) against the active site of EGFR revealed two H-bond interactions with the residues Asp855 and Thr854, whereas ligand 5a (docking = −5.337) interacted with three H-bond with the residues Gln92, Gln67, and Thr200 against the active site CA. The reported compounds exhibited significant anticancer and antioxidant activities, as well as displayed significant inhibition against cancer targets, EGFR and CA, in the molecular docking studies. The current discovery may aid in the development of novel compounds for the treatment of cancer and oxidative stress, and other high altitude-related disorders.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3-PUFAs) are dietary components that have been extensively recognized for their therapeutic value and have shown diverse therapeutic effects including anti-inflammatory, antiarrhythmic, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory and antineoplastic activities. Most of the ω-3-PUFAs are obtained through diet or supplements because the body does not synthesize them. The high instability of ω-3-PUFAs to oxidative deterioration, lower bioavailability at the target tissues and reduced bioactivity of ω-3-PUFAs is an impediment for achieving their therapeutic potential. The present review provides an overview of potential therapeutic activities of ω-3-PUFAs and different novel technical approaches based on nanotechnology, which have been emphasized to overcome instability problems as well as enhance the bioactivity of ω-3-PUFAs. Future prospects related to this area of research are also provided.

The present work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical tacrolimus (0.01%) loaded propylene glycol (PG) modified nano-vesicles (Proglycosomes Nano-vesicles, PNVs) for the treatment of experimental dry eye syndrome (DES) in rabbits. DES was induced by topical application of atropine (1.0%) and benzalkonium chloride (0.1%) aqueous solution. PNVs treatment (PNV group) was compared with tacrolimus solution 0.01% (TAC group) and untreated group and healthy group were used as controls. PNV treated animals showed improved clinical performance with marked increase in tear production and tear break-up time (TBUT). Further, PNVs also subside ocular inflammation as evident from absence of matrix metalloprotenaise-9 and normal ocular surface temperature (32.3 ± 0.34 °C). Additionally, PNVs have positive effect on ocular and epithelial damage observed through low ocular surface staining score and improved globlet cell density. The PNV treatment was found to more effectively compared to TAC solution and most of the parameters were close to those of healthy animals. In conclusion, tacrolimus PNV formulation (0.01%) could be a potential therapy for treatment of dry eye syndrome.

Aim: The current study aimed to explore the feasibility of the nanoemulgel for the topical delivery of aceclofenac. Materials & methods: Solubility of drugs in the formulation systems was determined and aceclofenac nanoemulsion (NE) was prepared by high-pressure homogenization technique. Carbopol 940 was added as a gelling agent. Results & conclusion: The composition of optimized NE consist of labrafil along with triacetin as oil, tween 80 and cremophor EL in combination as a surfactant and transcutol HP along with PEG 400 and ethanol as cosurfactant. The droplet size of the NE was 141.1 ± 3.65 nm, with low polydispersity index and negative zeta potential. The aceclofenac–nanoemulgel was developed using carbopol 940 and exhibited excellent permeation in comparison to the marketed sample.

In the present study we investigated the protective role of intranasal rosuvastatin liquid crystalline nanoparticles (Ros-LCNPs) against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures, increasing current electroshock (ICES) induced seizures, and PTZ-induced status epilepticus. From the dose titration study, it was evident that intranasal rosuvastatin (ROS), at lower dose, was more effective than oral and intraperitoneal ROS. The Ros-LCNPs equivalent to 5 mg/kg ROS were developed by hydrotrope method using glyceryl monooleate (GMO) as lipid phase. The high resolution TEM revealed that the formed Ros-LCNPs were cubic shaped and multivesicular with mean size of 219.15 &plusmn, 8.14 nm. The Ros-LCNPs showed entrapment efficiency of 70.30 &plusmn, 1.84% and release was found to be biphasic following Korsmeyer&ndash, Peppas kinetics. Intranasal Ros-LCNPs (5 mg/kg) showed significant increase in latency to PTZ-induced seizures and ICES seizure threshold compared to control and intranasal ROS solution. Additionally, intranasal Ros-LCNPs provided effective protection against PTZ-induced status epilepticus. No impairment in cognitive functions was observed following intranasal Ros-LCNPs. The results suggested that Ros-LCNPs could be an effective and promising therapeutics for the epilepsy management.

The study's purpose intended to develop and optimize an NLC formulation for topical berberine administration with increased skin acne efficacy. The “three-parameters, three-level Box-Behnken design” was employed to improve the formulation based on vesicle size, PDI, and encapsulation efficiency. In-vitro profile for drug release, skin penetration investigation using confocal microscopy, skin irritation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-acne studies were performed on the optimized formulation. The vesicles with a size of 132.5 ± 10.34 nm, PDI of 0.224 ± 5.12, and entrapment efficiency of 85.956 ± 5.78% were found in the optimized formulation. The optimized formulation had spherical vesicles, according to TEM imaging. In vitro release studies showed that final optimized NLC formulation has cumulative release of drug (72.675 ± 3.686%), which was significantly greater as compared to NLC gel formulation (48.354 ± 4.893%). Thermo-analytical studies of NLCs formulation determined smooth drug interaction via rat skin membrane. Confocal microscopy revealed that, rhodamine-NLC formulation was traceable up to 54.9 μm across skin of rats, while solution of rhodamine penetrated only up to 20.4 μm of rat skin. Skin irritation study further showed significantly lower irritation level of skin (erythema: 0.50.231 and edema: 0.50.320) by applying optimized NLC-gel formulation compared to the control irritant. Furthermore, in comparison to the positive control, the anti-acne study demonstrated a decrease in all acne parameters, in addition to higher effectiveness over the commercially available formulation. These findings suggest that developed berberine loaded NLC gel could be a promising vehicle for the safe and effective topical administration of drugs to treat acne vulgaris.

Present work aims to optimize and characterize orally administered, ubidecarenone (UDC)-loaded glycerylmonooleate-based cubosome (GCBMs) and phytantriol based cubosomes (PCBMs) for effective management of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and to enhance bioavailability of UDC. Formulations optimized using statistical hybrid-design approach exhibited particle size of 152.0 ± 1.78 and 248.8 ± 1.83 nm, polydispersity index of 0.183 ± 0.021 and 0.225 ± 0.018 with zeta potential of −26.8 ± 0.76 and −23.3 ± 0.22 mV and percentage entrapment efficiency (% EE) of 92.3 ± 4.99% and 94.7 ± 5.67%, for GCBMs and PCBMs, respectively. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed agreement with the particle size and shows the discrete cubic geometry of particles, while small-angle X-ray scattering analysis confirmed the primitive (Im3m) and diamond (Pn3m) type crystalline cubic self-assemble structure of the particles. The comparative bioavailability profiles of UDC from GCBMs and PCBMs (AUC 0→∞ = 19,546.8 ± 512.88 ng·h/L for GCBMs and 27,961.99 ± 602.46 ng·h/L for PCBMs) were approximately 6.5- and 7.0-fold higher than that of UDC suspension (AUC 0→∞ = 3132.806 ± 405.44 ng·h/L). Cardioprotective assessment showed a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and β-glutathione peroxidase levels, while a decrease in the level of catalase, creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, and lipid peroxidation was observed in animals pre-treated with developed CBMs. Histopathology studies revealed no significant damage, infiltrated cells, and signs of fibrosis in the CBM-treated groups.

Thymoquinone (TQ) is a potent phytoconstituent from Nigella sativa and well recognized for its neuroactivity via antioxidant mechanisms, but its higher lipophilicity and plasma protein binding lowers its bioavailability negating any appreciable clinical outcome, thus losing the possibility to form any conventional dosage form. TQ's brain targeted drug delivery can result into an increased efficacy and bioavailability, thus, in a novel attempt, we aim to formulate brain targeted Polysorbate-80 coated thymoquinone PLGA nanoparticles (P-80-TQN) and evaluate their activity towards Alzheimer's disease. The modified single-emulsion solvent-evaporation technique was employed to formulate the TQN and further coated by Polysorbate-80 to obtain brain targeted P-80-TQN. The effectiveness of TQ released from P-80-TQN was evaluated in Alzheimer's (AD), biochemically by Super-Oxide Dismutase (SOD) enzymatic assay and behaviorally by Despair Test in Streptozotocin-(STZ)-induced Alzheimer's mice models at 5 mg/kg TQ-equivalent dose. AD markers: β-amyloid tangles were validated through histopathology of the brain's hippocampal tissues from euthanized mice. A Stable and homogenous targeted P-80-TQN (226.2 nm, ζ = −45.6 mV) formulation was prepared and characterized physiochemically and spectrally. It significantly reduced the IT (39.45 ± 3.32 s), and increased SOD functioning (8.33 ± 2.61 units/mg) after treating mice for 28 days at 5 mg/kg equivalent P-80-TQN. An invitro biphasic cumulative release of TQ (59.10 ± 2.10) from P-80-TQN was observed over 24 h, whereas invivo TQ release in brain from P-80-TQN was observed and explained in terms of AUC (0–600mins) and Cmax which were obtained 4.5 and 4.3 times respectively and Tmax was 3 times faster than normal TQ. A reduced and solvated protein aggregates (

Topical ocular delivery of therapeutics are always a challenging arena in order to achieve high ocular bioavailability with safe administration. Ideal ocular delivery of drug required 4 P's that is Patient compliance, Prolong retention, Penetration to cornea and Prolong release of drug. In an attempt to achieve desired characteristics for ocular delivery, Ketorolac loaded PLGA nanoparticles were fabricated by double emulsification solvent evaporation method and optimized by employing response surface methodology (RSM) followed by statistical analysis. Results obtained by RSM were further validated for fitness in model by different checkpoint formulations. Vitamin E TPGS was selected as emulsifier, which acquires high emulsifying capability and high permeability character. Zeta-size study revealed that optimized formulation has mean particle size 142.8 ± 11.7 nm, which was in agreement of TEM study and zeta potential was found −24.2 ± 1.2 mV. Encapsulation efficiency was achieved 63.5 ± 8.4%. Release profile was established by different mathematical modelling. It was observed that optimized formulation showed sustained release and followed by Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Corneal transport study showed enhanced drug permeation as compared to drug solution. HET-CAM test and histopathology studies revealed that optimized PLGA NPs was non-irritant and safe for ocular application.

The biomedical applications of curcumin (CUR) are limited due to its poor oral bioavailability. In this work, CUR nanoparticles were successfully prepared by combining the supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) process with Tween 80 as a solubilizing agent and permeation enhancer. Different processing parameters that can govern the mean particle size and size distribution of nanoparticles were well investigated by manipulating the types of solvents, mixing vessel pressure, mixing vessel temperature, CO2 flow rate, solution flow rate and solution concentration. Solid state characterization was done by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction study. Solubility and dissolution profile of SAS-processed CUR were found to be significantly increased in comparison with native CUR. Further, a validated ultra-performance liquid chromatographic method with quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry was developed to investigate the pharmacokinetic parameters after a single oral dose (100mg/kg) administration of CUR (before/after SAS-processed) in male Wistar rats. From the plasma concentration vs. time profile graph, oral bioavailability of SAS-processed CUR was found to be increased approximately 11.6-fold (p0.001) as compared to native CUR.

In the present study, we selected two potential herbal drugs (Smilax china and Salix alba) and developed nano lipidic carriers (NLC) gel for safe and effective topical therapy against psoriasis. Optimization of formulation of NLCs was performed using Box-Behnken design by selecting three input variables viz. lipid concentration, surfactant concentration and sonication time at three levels; and evaluated for the average particle size, polydispersity and %encapsulation as the response parameters. The outcomes of the present study showed that optimized dual drug-loaded NLCs had low average particle size (150.20 ± 3.57 nm) and polydispersity (0.301 ± 0.01) and high entrapment (86.32 ± 2.78% w/w). TEM imaging of the optimized formulation showed spherical vesicles. The drug release and dermal transport studies revealed sustained drug release (57.55 ± 5.38%) and enhanced dermal flux (3.88 μg/cm2/h), respectively. Thermo-analytical studies of NLCs showed fluidized state of the membrane of mice skin for smooth penetration of drugs. Confocal study revealed uniform distribution and deeper layer penetration of the optimized NLC gel system as compared to hydroalcoholic solution. Further, dermatokinetic study showed improved penetration of drug-loaded NLC gel in mice skin than the marketed formulation. The score obtained from skin irritation study revealed non-irritancy of the developed system. Further, in the developed psoriatic model, PASI score established decline in all the parameters as compared to the toxic control group, as well as better efficacy than the marketed formulation. Hence, the obtained results construe that developed NLCs as potential carriers for the effective and safe topical delivery of herbal drugs.

An ultra high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-synapt mass spectrometric method (UHPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) for the analysis of curcumin (Cur), demethoxycurcumin (DMC), bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) in Wistar rat brain homogenate was developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC™ BEH C18 (2.1mm × 100 mm; 1.7μm) column using isocratic mobile phase, consisting of acetonitrile: 10mM ammonium formate: formic acid (90:10:0.05v/v/v), at a flow rate of 0.2 ml min-1. The transitions occurred at m/z 367.0694/217.0598, 337.0717/173.0910, 307.0760/187.0844 for Cur, DMC, BDMC and m/z 307.0344/229.0677 for the IS (Nimesulide) respectively. The recovery of the analytes from Wistar rat brain homogenate was optimized using liquid-liquid extraction technique (LLE) in (ethyl acetate: chloform) mixture. The total run time was 3.0 min and the elution of Cur, DMC, BDMC occurred at 1.6, 1.75, 1.70 min, and for the IS 1.87 min, respectively. The linear dynamic range was established over the concentration range of 1.00 ng mL-1 to 1000.0 ng mL-1(r2; 0.9909 ± 0.0011, 0.9911 ± 0.003, and 0.9919 ± 0.0013) for Cur, DMC, and BDMC, respectively. The intra and inter-assay accuracy in terms of % CV for Cur, DMC, and BDMC was in the range 0.47–2.20, 0.47–1.65, and0.44–2.70, respectively. The lower limit of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) for Cur, DMC, and BDMC were 0.46, 0.05, 0.16 ng mL-1 and 0.153, 0.015, 0.052 ng mL-1, respectively. Analytes were stable and the method proved to be accurate (recovery, >85%), specific and was applied to evaluate the Cur, DMC, BDMC loaded PNIPAM NPs as vehicles for nose to brain drug delivery. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background The aim of this review is to provide an insight to the underlying biomedical applications of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Methods The most specific characteristic of MNPs is their response to an applied magnetic force, and this property of MNPs has been utilized in applications such as diagnosis of diseases, drug delivery and drug targeting. Currently, MNPs have attracted great attention because of their potential as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and heat mediators for cancer therapy (hyperthermia). Results Furthermore, the MNPs are also being used to achieve targeted delivery of biological molecules. Nowadays cancer is one of the biggest challenges and our goal is not only to improve the therapeutic outcome, but also to improve the methods of treatment along with the minimum adverse effect. Some suitable conclusions have been quoted on the precise synthesis approaches by focusing the mechanism of MNPs and new modification made on the production of these nanoparticles. Conclusion In this review diverse biomedical application of MNPs were also addressed and patents related remarks also made from the literature.

To evaluate the bioavailability of exemestane (EXM) from self-micro emulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) and suspension formulations, a sensitive, specific, and rapid liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric method was developed and validated. The analyte was extracted from plasma samples and detected by mass spectrometry (MS) with an atmospheric pressure positive-ion chemical ionization (APCI) mode using a heated nebulizer interface. Progesterone (PGS) was used as the internal standard. A Hychrome RPB-L428 column was used to perform the chromatographic separation, the mobile phase being methanol and 15 mM ammonium formate (80:20). The MS detection used a heated nebulizer interface, with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) operated in positive-ion mode. Both, EXM and PGS were well-separated and identified by their relative retention times, that is, 1.13 and 1.84 min, respectively. After oral administration of EXM loaded SMEDDS and suspension formulation to rats, a significant difference was observed ...

A simple, sensitive, and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) method with quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometric (Q-TOF-MS/MS) detection was developed for the determination of moxifloxacin (moxi) in rabbit aqueous humor. After a simple protein-precipitation by acetonitrile, the post-treatment samples were separated on a UPLC Bridged Ethyl Hybrid (BEH) C-18 column with 0.1% formic acid in water as a mobile phase and analyzed in positive ion mode. The method developed was validated in rabbit aqueous humor with a daily working range of 0.1–200 ng/mL with correlation coefficient, r2 > 0.999 and a sensitivity of 0.12 ng/mL as limit of quantification. The method proved to be accurate (recovery, 96.0–99.3%), precise (%RSD, ≤0.71%), and specific and was applied to evaluate the moxifloxacin loaded nanoplexes (moxi-NPX) as vehicles for ocular drug delivery. Moxi-NPX (4037 ± 45.9 ng/mL hr) provided approximately five-fold increase in the relative ocular bioavailability compared with moxi s...

In the present work, concomitant use of self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) and a novel third-generation P-gp inhibitor, GF120918 (elacridar), for the effective transport of taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) across an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium and uptake into tumor cells were investigated. On the basis of solubility studies and ternary phase diagrams, different SMEDDS formulations of taxanes were prepared and characterized. In caco-2 cell permeation study, paclitaxel-loaded SMEDDS along with GF120918 showed a four-fold increase in apparent permeability, while docetaxel-loaded SMEDDS in combination with GF120918 showed a nine-fold increase in permeability, as compared to plain drug solution. Cell uptake studies on A549 cells were performed with microemulsions formed from both SMEDDS formulations loaded with rhodamine 123 dye and showed good uptake than plain dye solution. Confocal laser scanning microscopic images further confirmed the higher uptake of both SMEDDS formul...

A rapid high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the determination and stability evaluation of linezolid in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Separation of linezolid was successfully achieved on a C-18 column utilizing water: methanol (50:50 v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and eluate was monitored at 254 nm, with a retention time of 5.117 minute. The method was validated and the response was found to be linear in the drug concentration range of 0.001 mg/mL to 3.4 mg/mL. The mean values ± RSD of the slope and the correlation coefficient were found to be 51169 ± 0.290 and 0.9999, respectively. The RSD values for intra- and inter-day precision were found to be 0.782 (

Encapsulation of Ganciclovir in lipophilic vesicular structure may be expected to enhance the oral absorption and prolong the existence of the drug in the systemic circulation. So the purpose of the present study was to improve the oral bioavailability of Ganciclovir by preparing nanosized niosomal dispersion. Niosomes were prepared from Span40, Span60, and Cholesterol in the molar ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 3:2 using reverse evaporation method. The developed niosomal dispersions were characterized for entrapment efficiency, size, shape, in vitro drug release, release kinetic study, and in vivo performance. Optimized formulation (NG8; Span60:Cholesterol 3:2 molar ratio) has shown a significantly high encapsulation of Ganciclovir (89±2.13%) with vesicle size of 144±3.47 nm (polydispersity index [PDI]=0.08). The in vitro release study signifies sustained release profile of niosomal dispersions. Release profile of prepared formulations have shown that more than 85.2±0.015% drug was released in 24 h with zero-order release kinetics. The results obtained also revealed that the types of surfactant and Cholesterol content ratio altered the entrapment efficiency, size, and drug release rate from niosomes. In vivo study on rats reveals five-time increment in bioavailability of Ganciclovir after oral administration of optimized formulation (NG8) as compared with tablet. The effective drug concentration (>0.69 µg/mL in plasma) was also maintained for at least 8 h on administration of the niosomal formulation. In conclusion, niosomes can be proposed as a potential oral delivery system for the effective delivery of Ganciclovir.

In the modern world, a number of therapeutic proteins such as vaccines, antigens, and hormones are being developed utilizing different sophisticated biotechnological techniques like recombinant DNA technology and protein purification. However, the major glitches in the optimal utilization of therapeutic proteins and peptides by the oral route are their extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism, degradation in the gastrointestinal tract (presence of enzymes and pH-dependent factors), large molecular size and poor permeation. These problems can be overcome by adopting techniques such as chemical transformation of protein structures, enzyme inhibitors, mucoadhesive polymers and permeation enhancers. Being invasive, parenteral route is inconvenient for the administration of protein and peptides, several research endeavors have been undertaken to formulate a better delivery system for proteins and peptides with major emphasis on non-invasive routes such as oral, transdermal, vaginal, rectal, pulmonary and intrauterine. This review article emphasizes on the recent advancements made in the delivery of protein and peptides by a non-invasive (peroral) route into the body.

Nucleic acid-based therapeutics have gained a lot of interest for the treatment of diverse ophthalmic pathologies. The first to enter in clinic has been an oligonucleotide, Vitravene(®) for the treatment of cytomegalovirus infection. More recently, research on aptamers for the treatment of age related macular degeneration has led to the development of Macugen(®). Despite intense potential, effective ocular delivery of nucleic acids is a major challenge since therapeutic targets for nucleic acid-based drugs are mainly located in the posterior eye segment, requiring repeated invasive administration. Of late, nanotechnology-based nano-vectors have been developed in order to overcome the drawbacks of viral and other non-viral vectors. The diversity of nano-vectors allows for ease of use, flexibility in application, low-cost of production, higher transfection efficiency and enhanced genomic safety. Using nano-vector strategies, nucleic acids can be delivered either encapsulated or complexed with cationic lipids, polymers or peptides forming sustained release systems, which can be tailored according to the ocular tissue being targeted. The present review focuses on developments and advances in various nano-vectors for the ocular delivery of nucleic acid-based therapeutics, the barriers that such delivery systems face and methods to overcome them.