Preparation and Characterization of in-Situ Gelling Systems Containing Curcumin Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Periodontitis

Abstract

Local delivery of curcumin (Cmn) in the form of site-specific periodontal formulations can open up newer option for the management of periodontal diseases. Efficacy of such delivery systems is dependent on the sustained release of Cmn from the device in a soluble form and its penetration into the base of the periodontal pocket and adjacent connective tissue. However, Cmn finds limited clinical applications in oral environment due to its poor aqueous solubility, poor permeability, high metabolism, and instability (hydrolytic, enzymatic and photodegradation). Nanotechnology could address these shortfalls of Cmn by allowing its delivery in a solubilized, bioavailable and photostable formulation amenable for periodontal application. Encapsulation of Cmn within solid lipid nanoparticles; SLNs (C-SLNs) in our previous work has shown an increase in its water dispersibility, chemical stability and bioactivity. In the current study, we have prepared in-situ gelling system incorporating C-SLNs using poloxamer 407 as in-situ gelling agent and Carbopol 934 as mucoadhesive agent. The in-situ gelling systems showed a prolonged and sustained release up to 8 days (192h). We also tested antioxidant potential of C-SLNs and compared it with ascorbic acid and raw Cmn using DPPH in-vitro antioxidant assay kinetics. C-SLNs showed higher IC50 with respect to free Cmn solution and also ascorbic acid. At the end of 5 days, IC50 of C-SLNS was 152.12 ± 0.20 mM which was lesser than that of ascorbic acid and Cmn. Kinetic analysis of ascorbic acid, Cmn and C-SLNS also established the superior antioxidant potential of C-SLNS in comparison to ascorbic acid and Cmn. Thus, the present investigation reports the development of a sustained release Cmn loaded solid lipid nanoparticles containing formulation with good antioxidant potential which can be employed as an effective treatment option for periodontitis.