Thermo-Reversible Hydrogel Systems for Customized Drug Release in Chronic Periodontal Disease Treatment

Effective drug delivery systems are crucial for treating chronic periodontal disease, where sustained and localized drug release is essential. The aim is to investigate the potential of thermo-reversible hydrogel systems for controlled drug delivery in periodontal therapy using in vitro models. Hydrogel formulations were prepared with varying drug concentrations low (1 mg/mL),medium (5 mg/mL),and high (10 mg/mL) concentrations of DOX, an antibiotic commonly used in periodontal treatments. The hydrogels were fabricated by mixing DOX withPNIPAM polymer at a constant drug-to-polymer ratio of 1:2. These hydrogel formulations were incubated at 37°C to form the gels. IVDRPs were assessed using a dialysis membrane system, simulating the drug's release into surrounding tissues. Additionally, HGFs and PDL cells were cultured to evaluate the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the hydrogels using MTT assays. The results showed that hydrogels with higher drug concentrations (high, 10 mg/mL) released the drug more rapidly within the first 24 hours, whereas medium (5 mg/mL) and low (1 mg/mL) drug concentrations exhibited a sustained release over a longer duration, up to 72 hours. Cytotoxicity testing revealed no significant toxic effects on HGFs or PDL cells at all concentrations (p > 0.05), confirming the biocompatibility of the hydrogels. These findings suggest that thermo-reversible hydrogel systems with adjustable drug concentrations can be effectively used for localized, controlled drug delivery in periodontal disease treatment.