Eugenyl Methacrylate Microsponges Loaded with Eugenol Incorporated In Situ Gel for Treatment of Periodontitis

Purpose The study was aimed to formulate eugenol-loaded polymeric microsponges using eugenyl methacrylate (Eg-MA) incorporated in situ gelling system for the treatment of periodontitis. Method Eg-MA monomer was first synthesized by reacting eugenol with methacryloyl chloride, which acted as a monomer and cross-linking agent for preparing microsponges of Eg-MA using suspension polymerization method. The formation of Eg-MA monomer was confirmed by FTIR. A 3(2) Box-Behnken design was applied to optimize Eg-MA polymeric microsponges which were characterized by SEM and antimicrobial activity. An optimized batch of polymeric microsponges was incorporated into in situ gelling system which was evaluated on the basis of pH, viscosity, gelling temperature, and mucoadhesion on the goat buccal mucosa. Ligature-induced experimental periodontitis (EPD) was induced in rats to assess the efficacy of the formulation. Results SEM revealed the spherical shape of Eg-MA microsponges with antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and potential to load eugenol with a drug content of 96.38 +/- 0.09%. The study of the eugenol-loaded microsponges in situ gel showed sustained release of the drug up to 24 h with a mucoadhesive strength of 31 +/- 0.13 N. Treatment with eugenol-loaded Eg-MA polymeric microsponges decreased tooth mobility and gingival inflammation in rats. The histological studies of the periodontium also confirmed decrease in the infiltration of inflammatory cells and alveolar bone destruction (p < 0.05) in EPD rats. Conclusion Thus, a novel formulation using Eg-MA with intrinsic antibacterial property was used to formulate eugenol-loaded polymeric microsponges in situ gel for the management of periodontitis.