CHITOSAN HYDROGELS: AN ALTERNATIVE FOR A BIODEGRADABLE ORAL DELIVERY DEVICE

ALVAREZ ECHAZU, MI; OLIVETTI CHRISTIAN; MORCILLO MARINA; ANESINI CLAUDIA; ALVAREZ GISELA; DESIMONE MARTIN FEDERICO

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LI Reunión SAIB 2015; 2015

Severe periodontitis represents a priority in oral care. It´s the sixth most prevalent condition worldwide, which affects 10% of the population. This advanced stage of periodontal disease characterized for the formation of dental pockets and gingival tissue recession could lead to tooth loss. Thymol chitosan hydrogels exemplifies a possible alternative for a biodegradable oral delivery device for severe periodontitis treatment which would also serve as a scaffold for periodontal tissue regeneration. Oxidative stress is known to be involved in periodontitis pathogenesis. Thymol release, a phenol compound with antioxidant properties, could help as a supplementary therapy agent. Antioxidant agents have already been added in many dental products, such as oral rinses and toothpastes. Thymol chitosan hydrogels showed in vitro antioxidant activity after 24hs, carried out through the DPPH assay, which analyses free radical scavenging activity. Thymol release was determinated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method using as release medium modified Fuyasama-Meyer artificial saliva. Chitosan hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that thymol in vitro release from chitosan hydrogels in artificial saliva preserved its antioxidant characteristics. Thymol antioxidant therapy could decrease periodontal inflammation through its free radical scavenging activity.