Inhibition of Periodontitis Induction Using a Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel Carrying Naringin

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Periodontology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Periodontitis treatment requires drug carriers with favorable handling and inflammation-responsive properties.
• Naringin, a natural flavonoid, exhibits anti-inflammatory effects beneficial for periodontitis therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the preclinical feasibility of a thermogelling and pH-responsive injectable hydrogel for delivering naringin to inhibit periodontitis.
• To evaluate the efficacy of naringin-loaded hydrogel in an experimental periodontitis model.

Main Methods:

• A hydrogel was formulated using carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan (CHC), β-glycerol phosphate (β-GP), and glycerol, exhibiting thermogelling and pH-responsive properties.
• In vitro studies assessed hydrogel characteristics and cell viability with naringin.
• In vivo, the hydrogel was subgingivally delivered in an experimental periodontitis model, with therapeutic effects evaluated via microcomputed tomography, histology, and gene expression analysis (TLR2, RAGE, TNF-α).

Main Results:

• The hydrogel demonstrated rapid gelation at 37°C and sustained naringin release at acidic pH (5.5-6.5).
• Naringin treatment significantly improved cell viability.
• Naringin-loaded hydrogel significantly reduced periodontal bone loss, inflammatory infiltration, and downregulated key inflammation-associated genes (TLR2, RAGE, TNF-α) in vivo.

Conclusions:

• Naringin-carrying CHC-β-GP-glycerol hydrogel is a promising injectable drug delivery system for periodontitis.
• The hydrogel possesses favorable handling and inflammation-responsive characteristics for inhibiting experimental periodontitis induction.