Sustained release device containing metronidazole for periodontal use

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biomaterials Science
• Periodontology

Background:

• Periodontal disease requires effective local drug delivery.
• Sustained release systems can improve therapeutic outcomes.
• Metronidazole is a key antibiotic for treating anaerobic periodontal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustained-release device for metronidazole.
• To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo release kinetics of metronidazole from ethyl cellulose films.
• To confirm the biological activity of metronidazole within the developed film.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of ethyl cellulose cast films containing metronidazole.
• In vitro release studies using UV spectrophotometry.
• In vivo correlation of release kinetics.
• Microbiological assays to assess drug activity.

Main Results:

• Ethyl cellulose films demonstrated sustained release of metronidazole.
• In vitro release kinetics followed Higuchi's diffusional model.
• In vivo studies showed sustained metronidazole release for three days.
• Drug embedding did not inhibit metronidazole's biological activity.

Conclusions:

• Ethyl cellulose films are suitable for sustained metronidazole delivery in periodontal pockets.
• The developed device provides effective local antibiotic release for up to three days.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for managing periodontal infections.