Monolithic Periodontal Films for Simultaneous Extended Release of Metronidazole and Doxycycline

Abstract

The objective of this study was to optimize a periodontal film containing both metronidazole and doxycycline for the treatment of mixed periodontal infections. Simultaneous estimation of metronidazole and doxycycline was accomplished by method I (Simultaneous Equation Method) and method II (Absorbance Ratio or Q-Analysis Method). Formulations, F1 to F9, prepared using selected cellulose and polymethylmethacrylate polymers, either separately or in combination, were evaluated for film thickness,
percentage moisture loss, folding endurance, swelling index, texture profile analysis of film and degradation studies. The film casted with polymethylmethacrylate-1, 20,000 (F1) alone was selected as the best periodontal film and assessed for antibacterial performance and stability. In vitro release study demonstrated controlled release of drugs for 7 days from F1 that followed zero order release profile and the microbiological studies revealed a dose dependent response against Bacillus subtilis. F1 displayed a higher swelling index in vitro that could predict a longer duration of bioadhesion in vivo. Thus a stable, extended
release periodontal film containing both metronidazole and doxycycline with satisfactory bioadhesion was developed.

Keywords: metronidazole, doxycycline, simultaneous estimation method, Q-analysis method, periodontal films

Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Journal Vol. 26 (1) 2008: pp. 27-38