Drug intercalation in layered double hydroxide clay: application in the development of a nanocomposite film for...

It has been proposed that localized and controlled delivery of alendronate and tetracycline to periodontal pocket fluids via guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes may be a valuable adjunctive treatment for advanced periodontitis. The objectives of this work were to develop a co-loaded, controlled release tetracycline and alendronate nanocomposite plasticized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) film that would form a suitable matrix supporting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Alendronate release was successfully controlled, with complete suppression of the burst phase of release by intercalation of alendronate anions in magnesium/aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay nanoparticles and dispersed in the PLGA film matrix. Tetracycline, loaded as free drug into the film together with alendronate-LDH clay complex released more rapidly than alendronate, but showed evidence of intercalation in the LDH clay particles. The dual drug loaded nanocomposite films were biocompatible with osteoblasts and after 5 week incubations, significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and bone nodule formation were observed.