Conclusions

The solvent evaporation method is a traditional approach for preparing polymeric films. A poly (vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/gum ghatti-based polymeric ocular composite was fabricated using this method to prevent ocular conjunctivitis, pink eye, bacterial conjunctivitis, and allergic inflammation. GTA was used as a crosslinker at a very low concentration, and free GTA was neutralized by soaking in a 0.1 M glycine solution for 4 hours to prevent ocular chemosis or irritation. Thickness increased with higher GG concentration. A pH range of 5.5 to 7.5 was found to be safe for ocular delivery. The film's opacity increased, indicating reduced transparency. All formulations exhibited haemolysis rates below 5 %, indicating safety for corneal delivery. Microscopic analysis revealed that the incorporation of GG and the chitosan molecular flexibility would be diminished within the polymer. The addition of gum ghatti imparts a red and yellow hue to the system. The presence of gum ghatti enhances the swelling properties of the fabricated ocular film. XRD and DSC analyses revealed that the drug in the formulation is amorphous. The presence of GG stabilized both the drug and the polymer in the formulation. There is no molecular interaction between the drug and polymer, indicating compatibility within the formulations. Increasing GG concentration elevated PAF; however, at 10 % GG, adhesion was reduced, indicating a critical threshold. The incorporation of GG reduced drug release by inhibiting crystalline defects and thereby supporting the swelling profile. Drug release followed both Fickian and non- Fickian pathways. The drug-release model showed a strong correlation between observed and predicted data. A clear zone of inhibition was observed against both Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Cell viability exceeded 87 %, indicating that the formulation can be used for topical application for more than 72 hours. An in vivo ocular irritation study indicated the formulations are safe for corneal delivery, with no signs of swelling, inflammation, redness, or chemosis. Carrageenan-induced in vivo anti-inflammatory tests showed reductions in redness and inflammation within 1.5 hours. Assessment of corneal integrity revealed no dark spots, confirming that no coagulant or thrombosis occurs in the eye. Thus, the formulation shows potential for the treatment of ocular conjunctivitis and can be safely used for pink eye, bacterial conjunctivitis, or allergic conjunctivitis.