Chitosan-Based Thermosensitive Hydrogel for Controlled Drug Delivery to the Temporomandibular Joint.
Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) and corticosteroids have been extensively used in treating temporomandibular disorders. However, rapid clearance from the site of injection is a major concern that is commonly managed by frequent dosing, which is not without complications. This study aimed to determine the suitability of thermosensitive chitosan-based hydrogels for intra-articular controlled release of drugs in the rabbit temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A series of hydrogels were prepared using different chitosan (Ch) to β-glycerophosphate (β-GP) ratios. The gelation time, swelling ratio, the shape, and surface morphology of the prepared gels were investigated to select the formulation with optimum characteristics. The left TMJ in 13 adult male New Zealand white rabbits was injected with 0.2 mL of Chitosan/β-glycerophosphate/HA while the right TMJ was injected with 0.2 mL of control solution of HA. Hyaluronic acid concentrations in experimental and control groups were measured using Hyaluronan Quantikine Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kit. In vitro characterization showed that both the Ch:β-GP ratio and incorporation of HA had a significant effect on gelation time, degree of swelling, and surface morphology of the hydrogels. No morphological changes were observed in the joints in both groups. The mean concentration of HA in the experimental joints after 7 days (1339.79 ± 244.98 μg/g) was significantly higher than that in the control (474.52 ± 79.36 μg/g). In conclusion, the chitosan-based thermosensitive hydrogel can be considered as a promising controlled drug release system to the TMJ in a rabbit model that would potentially overcome many of the current limitations of intra-articular formulations.
*Department of Oral and Craniofacial Health Science, College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE†Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismaillia, Egypt‡Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE§Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University||Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Women, Ain Shams University, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt¶Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Wael M
WM
Talaat
Mohamed
M
Haider
Sausan Al
SA
Kawas
Nadia G
NG
Kandil
David R K
DR
Harding
D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011817:Rabbits; D013696:Temperature; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D020100:Hydrogels; D048271:Chitosan; C031463:beta-glycerophosphoric acid