Abstract

DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF CHLORHEXIDINE LOADED PERIOCHIP

Shwetha K.*, S. Bharath and Sharon Furtado

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory response to bacteriological infections. The main objective of this study was to design a formulation for local delivery of chlorhexidine to the oral cavity for the management of chronic periodontitis. Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum biocide effective drug and chitosan is biodegradable polymer having broad spectrum antimicrobial activity are being selected as choice for formulation of periochip. Methods and Findings: Drug loaded periochips were prepared by solvent casting method employing mercury as a substrate and evaluated. Formulated periochips were found to be compatible with normal buccal mucosa within an acceptable pH range of 6.5 to 7. The results of drug content indicated that drug is uniformly dispersed into the periochips. The formulation with higher percentage of chitosan showed slower drug release when subjected to comparative in-vitro dissolution studies. The selected periochip formulations showed a broad spectrum of in-vitro antibacterial activity for an extended period of time. Conclusion: Chlorhexidine incorporated periochips was found to be stable, compatible with extended and better treatment of periodontitis having patient compliance.

Keywords: Chlorhexidine, Chitosan, Periodontitis, Periochip.