Multifunctional Thermal-responsive Bioglue Targeted at Suppurative Infection in Oral Cavity

This study aims to develop a novel thermal-responsive bioglue against suppurative infection in the oral cavity, to overcome the current conventional therapeutic strategies, encompassing localised irrigation and systemic pharmacotherapy, which are constrained by transient therapeutic duration, suboptimal drug bioavailability, delayed therapeutic onset, and adverse systemic effects.

Multifunctional bio-adhesive platform comprising tannic acid-iron ion chelate (TA-Fe) with thermal-responsive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel (PPP) (TA-Fe@PPP) was designed for spatially confined photothermal therapeutic intervention with the use of a near-infrared (NIR) laser. Furthermore, comprehensive performance, including gel transformation, degradation behaviour, adhesive and photothermal properties, drug release, and antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo, was assessed.

The TA-Fe@PPP system showed porous morphology, ideal adhesive performance, and thermal-responsive behaviour. Favourable biocompatibility and antimicrobial and soft tissue regeneration ability were also confirmed both in vitro and in vivo.

TA-Fe@PPP's sustained efficacy with minimised off-target effects holds significant localised therapeutic potential, highlighting a long-lasting in situ platform for oral suppurative infection.

TA-Fe@PPP can be utilized as a durable in situ platform to treat oral suppurative infections as a versatile carrier system. This novel system addresses critical needs across multiple therapeutic scenarios in clinical practice.