Acetanilide‐loaded injectable hydrogels with enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility for potential treatment of periodontitis

Abstract

Chronic periodontitis poses long-term challenges in dentistry, requiring thedevelopment of innovative dental composites with biocompatibility, boneregeneration, and antibacterial properties. This study focuses on synthesis ofnovel injectable thermoresponsive hydrogels composed of chitosan, sodiumbicarbonate, bioactive glass (20 and 40% w/w), and acetanilide drug (0.3 and0.6% w/w). These hydrogels exhibit a sol–gel transition at 37 C, addressingperiodontal challenges with reduced gelation time. The smooth flow character-istic was evaluated through 17-22 gauge syringe needles at low temperature.Rheological studies demonstrated pseudoplastic behavior, with viscositydecreasing as shear rate increases. Fourier transform infrared and x-ray diffrac-tion analysis confirmed the bioactivity of hydrogels, forming a bone-like apa-tite layer in simulated body fluid. The drug-loaded hydrogels demonstratedpromising in vitro antibacterial properties against dental pathogens, specifi-cally Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Drug dissolutionanalysis revealed relatively high release rate at 37 C, highlighting its role inrapidly eliminating bacterial colonies at the target site, while the subsequentsustained release contributes to the prevention of infection recurrence. Finally,biocompatibility was assessed with fibroblast, where the cells were observedanchoring into the polymeric chains of hydrogel through extended filopodia.