RESUMO
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been successfully employed in the treatment of oral cancer. Toluidine blue O (TBO) is a photosensitizer (PS) that has exhibited remarkable photocytotoxicity in a variety of tumour cells; however, its physicochemical properties, as well as the physicochemical properties of oral mucosa, prevent the drug from reaching the target site at a therapeutic concentration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Tween 80® (TW), which has shown potential as a penetration enhancer, on the mucosal retention of TBO for the PDT of oral cancer. 4% Chitosan-based mucoadhesive gels (CH gels) containing or not 5%TW were prepared (both containing 1%TBO), and their physicochemical properties (pH, rheology and mucoadhesion), TBO in vitro release profiles and TBO in vitro mucosal retention were evaluated. In vivo mucosal penetration studies of TBO followed by laser exposition were also carried out. The results showed that 4%CH gels containing 5%TW and 1%TBO have adequate mucoadhesive and rheological properties for oral mucosa use, although they present a slightly acid pH. TBO release studies showed that TW reduces TBO release, but it prolongs TBO release and increases TBO retention in the mucosa. In vivo studies showed that 4%CH gels containing 5%TW and 1%TBO cause an increase in the number of apoptotic cell, after laser exposition. In summary, 4%CH gels containing 5%TW may be a promising vehicle to optimize the penetration of TBO in oral mucosa and to improve the PDT response for the treatment of oral cancer.