Cytotoxicity of Novel Polymeric Gel Matrix Triple Antibiotic Paste-an In Vitro Study

Objectives The study evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity profile of a novel polymeric gel matrix triple antibiotic paste. Materials and Methods The novel polymeric gel matrix triple antibiotic paste (TAOP) was formulated as thermo-modulated in situ hydrogel, by blending chitosan-carbopol and poloxamer gels with clindamycin (5%), metronidazole (5%), and doxycycline (1%). All the test materials (TAOP-test material 1), zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE-test material 2), and calcium hydroxide iodoform paste (Metapex-positive control) were divided into multiple concentrations from 400 to 12.5 mu g/mL serially. The precultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were contacted directly to all the test materials, against untreated cells (negative control). MTT assay was evaluated for cell survival after 48 h, followed by half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) estimation. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tuckey's post hoc HSD test and Bonferroni's correction followed by t test for pairwise comparison of groups at all concentrations (p < 0.05). Results The novel polymeric gel matrix TAOP exhibited lowest cytotoxicity followed by Metapex and highest with ZOE after 48 h. The IC50 concentration of TAOP was highest (701.6 mu g/mL), followed by ZOE (632.1 mu g/mL) and least for Metapex (609.4 mu g/mL). However, the intergroup comparisons of the HGF responses for the test materials at all the concentrations showed a statistically nonsignificant difference. Conclusion Novel polymeric gel matrix triple antibiotic gel is less toxic to HGF than other obturating materials maintaining their viability. The recently developed material can be used as an obturating material in primary teeth or intracanal medicament in permanent teeth to disinfect endodontic spaces with the least cytotoxicity. Lay Summary The present study focuses on the development and cytotoxic evaluation of a newly formulated polymeric gel matrix triple antibiotic paste followed by evaluation of its cytotoxicity against zinc oxide eugenol and metapex (calcium hydroxide iodoform), respectively. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were grown with novel polymeric gel matrix triple antibiotic paste, zinc oxide eugenol, and Metapex, against untreated cells. The cytotoxic profile and half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of test materials were also estimated. Thus, the cytotoxic evaluation of newly formulated material and other test materials was evaluated to prevent damage to the native tissues enhancing new tissue regeneration during their usage.