RESUMO
AIM: The aim of the present work was to explore the development of a dual-controlled release periodontal system of a potent broad spectrum first-generation fluoroquinolone, ciprofloxacin, and the anti-inflammatory enzyme serratiopeptidase (STP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on 3(2) full factorial design, thermoreversible periodontal sols capable of controlled dual delivery of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and STP were designed using pluronic F127 and carbopol 934P as thermosensitive gelling polymers. Sol gel transition characteristics, %cumulative drug release at 48(th) h and exvivo mucoadhesive strength were designated as dependent responses. The sols were mucoadhesive, syringeable, and inverted into gels at simulated periodontal cavity temperature. RESULTS: F9 with optimal drug release was identified as the best formulation. Extra design check point generated using Design Expert software 8.02 (Stat-Ease, USA) validated the experimental design. Textural analysis revealed that the developed sols were syringeable and spreadable enough for periodontal treatment so it can be expected that hardness and compressibility of sols would pose no problem during clinical application. The in vitro release behavior exhibited controlled release of both cipro HCl and STP (>90% release). CONCLUSION: A dual-controlled release thermoreversible periodontal sol of ciproflaxin and STP was successfully developed. Incorporation of STP as anti-inflammatory agent has the potential of developing a therapeutically efficacious system of cipro HCl for treatment of periodontal inflammatory anaerobic infections.