Design of a nanofibrous guided tissue regeneration carrier as a potential drug delivery system for tetracycline hydrochloride in the management of periodontitis

Abstract

To accelerate the recovery process in the treatment of periodontitis, a guided tissue regeneration (GTR) nanofibrous membrane containing the antibacterial agent, tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), was prepared and evaluated for its in vivo performance as a drug carrier in a rabbit model. Polycaprolactone (PCL) solutions containing tetracycline were electrospun to obtain nanofibers and characterized. The surface morphology was investigated and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to detect any potential interactions that may have led to a major alteration of the pharmacologically active moiety. The release behavior was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro cytotoxicity was performed to determine the non-toxic nature of the formulation. The antibacterial efficacy was examined against common periodontal pathogens. The formulations possessed suitable strength to preserve their integrity during administration with enough flexibility. A uniform morphology with a mean fiber diameter of 261–324 nm was achieved due to the high potential of the electrospinning process. The antibacterial efficacy and the FTIR confirmed the fact that no major interactions occurred between the drug and polymer. Appropriate cell viability of more than 80% was achieved with no sign of irritation after the implantation of the membranes in a rabbit model. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated an extended release of the drug for more than 6 days. Suitable biocompatibility in rat and rabbit models was observed. The obtained result suggests that TCH-loaded GTR membranes can be suitable for intrapacket delivery during periodontitis to reduce the frequency of administration and to accelerate the recovery process.