3D Biodegradable Injectable Hydrogel for the Treatment of Periodontal Diseases

Objective: To develop an injectable composition of silanized hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose/titrated extract of Centella aisatica  (Si-HPMC/TECA) for the treatment of periodontal diseases. Methods:  Silanization process was carried out to prepare the grafted hydrogel. Si-HPMC/TECA concentrations of 1 - 10 % w/w were used in the experiments. We tested TECA efficacy for bone formation and collagen fibres regeneration by measuring the alkaline phosphatase and cell proliferation activities. Results: The experiments showed that TECA 3% w/w enhanced the proliferation and osteogenic (alkaline phosphatase) activity of the periodontal ligament fibroblasts. The self-reticulating 3D hydrogels containing 4% w/w of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose have the potential properties to deliver and release TECA compound. The 3D Si-HPMC hydrogel also enhanced the matrix cohesion working as an exclusion barrier. Conclusion: The 3D polymer network is acting as an extracellular synthetic scaffold matrix mimicking the in-vivo extracellular matrix. The hydrogel provides the appropriate 3D environment for better living cells performance and it is also a carrier for the bioactive ingredient. In addition, this biomaterial simplifies the process of filling periodontal lesions and may improve the clinical results.