Doxycycline Proniosomal Gel as Local Drug Delivery System in Periodontal Disease: A Vitro Study

Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition of the oral cavity in which microorganisms play a significant role in the pathogenesis and onset. The host immune system starts as an inflammatory process in response to microbial attack that protects and kills the periodontium. Doxycycline is a semi-synthetic variant of tetracycline that is made from oxytetracycline. Doxycycline inhibits the production of both aerobic and anaerobic microbial protein through its potent activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

The preparation method of doxycycline proniosomal gel involved accurately weighing doxycycline and all excipients (12 Batches). Doxycycline was mixed with 1 ml of ethanol, and all the excipients, like surfactant, lecithin, cholesterol, were added in precisely weighed amounts. The characterization of proniosomal gel and determination of drug entrapment efficacy is calculated.

Doxycycline release from the doxycycline proniosomal gel (Batch F12) was studied using Franz diffusion cell assembly with dialysis membrane for 7 days in phosphate-buffered saline (7.4) indicated sustained release of doxycycline from the formulation.

Proniosome containing doxycycline may therefore be a locally effective drug delivery method for treating periodontitis. Current in vitro study is mainly focused on preparation of proniosomal gel containing doxycycline as local drug delivery system in periodontal disease.