Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Potential of Thermoresponsive In situ Gel Loaded with Metronidazole Microsponges for Localized Treatment of Periodontitis

Antibacterial Effect of Orthodontic Adhesive with Organic Nanoparticles

Orthodontic adhesives can accumulate biofilm, which may lead to long-term white-spot lesions; however, incorporating poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles could improve their anticariogenic properties. Objective: To develop PLGA nanoparticles containing antiseptic agents for orthodontic adhesives, improve antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, and assess cytotoxicity in gingival fibroblasts. Methods: PLGA nanoparticles with chlorhexidine and chitosan were synthesized and characterized using FTIR, SEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar diffusion and microdilution assays, and cytotoxicity and microhardness were also assessed. Results: PLGA-NPs showed moderate antibacterial effects, with inhibition rates from 74.25% to 54.05% in agar diffusion and reduced activity in microdilution (CC50: 3.75 µg/mL in adhesive, 15 µg/mL free). PLGA-NPs-CHx exhibited stronger antibacterial activity, with inhibition ranging from 89.38% to 73.75% and a CC50 of 0.93 µg/mL in both forms. PLGA-NPs-CH also showed significant inhibition (83.11% to 69.39%) and a CC50 of 1.87 µg/mL in adhesive and 7.5 µg/mL free. Vickers microhardness values were similar across groups: 74.67 HV for adhesive only, 74.11 HV for adhesive with PLGA-NPs, 74.22 HV for PLGA-NPs-CH-Adh, and 74 HV for PLGA-NPs-CHx-Adh. Conclusions: Incorporating PLGA nanoparticles functionalized with antiseptic agents into orthodontic adhesives shows promising antibacterial potential and may benefit orthodontic practice.

Polymeric blends enabling controlled delivery of Lippia graveolens bioactives for wound repair: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Chronic wounds are characterized by an increased susceptibility to microbial colonization, which results in prolonged inflammation and the development of microbial biofilms. The inadequate use of systemic antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Therefore, the use of essential oils has gained significant importance. Lippia graveolens Kunth essential oil (OR) presents antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which could enhance the wound healing process. In this study, we prepared PCL microfiber mats (MFs) loaded with either OR (PCL-OR) or carvacrol (CV) and characterized them for their physicochemical properties. Their antimicrobial and antioxidant and properties were also assessed. In vitro and in vivo models were used to verify the suitability of the materials. The results revealed that the addition of OR and CV enhanced the surface roughness of the MFs, which may influence protein-material interactions and contribute to favorable biological responses at the wound interface. The proposed MFs demonstrated suitable mechanical properties, rendering them appropriate as wound dressings. The incorporation of OR and CV enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In vitro assays demonstrated promising cell viability and non-cytotoxic effects of PCL-OR MFs. In vivo evaluations showed adequate wound closure rates, thus rendering PCL-OR as a feasible bioactive wound dressing platform.

pH-Driven Structural Optimization of Hydroxyapatite/Alginate Composites for Sustained Clindamycin Release and Antibacterial Applications

The bamboo shell-derived HAp/Alg composite produced at pH 10 was a potential candidate for localized antibacterial drug delivery systems in biomedical applications and carried clindamycin efficiently carried on the composite matrix and released in a sustained manner.

Morphology-Engineered Ceria Nanoparticles Ameliorate Periodontitis via Enhanced Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory oral disease featured with continuous alveolar bone resorption, where a ccumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) aggravate tissue damage and local inflammation. Ceria nanoparticles (CNPs) act as promising redox nanozymes with excellent ROS-scavenging and anti-inflammatory capacities. Their catalytic performance is highly dependent on specific surface area (SSA), surface Ce3+ fraction and oxygen vacancy (Ov) concentration, all of which are closely regulated by particle morphology. Nevertheless, the correlation between CNP morphology and therapeutic efficacy against periodontitis remains largely unexplored, hindering their rational application in oral therapy. Herein, ceria nanorods, nanocubes and nano-octahedra were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using the same precipitant, with commercial spherical CNPs serving as the control group. Ceria nanorods exerted superior enzyme-mimetic activity, ROS scavenging, anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects in vitro, which is attributed to their largest SSA, highest surface Ce3+ proportion and abundant oxygen vacancies. In a rat periodontitis model, nanorod-loaded poloxamer hydrogel effectively alleviated alveolar bone resorption, clinical attachment loss and inflammatory infiltration. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that nanorods inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway while activating the Nrf2 pathway, thereby mitigating inflammation and reinforcing endogenous antioxidant defenses. This work clarifies the structure-activity relationship of CNPs, offering a rational morphology-modulating strategy for periodontitis therapy.

Antimicrobial Evaluation of a Novel Antibiotic Nanopaste in Dental Pulp Therapy

Background/Objectives. The use of antibiotic pastes in the Lesion Sterilization Tissue Repair (LSTR) technique has increased due to their ability to disinfect necrotic primary teeth without mechanical instrumentation. Tri-antibiotic mixtures (TAP) and Chloramphenicol-Tetracycline-Zinc Oxide (CTZ) paste remain the most common options, although their composition and dosing lack standardization. Evidence indicates that silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles enhance antimicrobial performance by disrupting biofilms and modulating inflammatory pathways, suggesting potential benefits when incorporated into intracanal medications. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of a chloramphenicol–tetracycline paste modified with silver nanoparticles (SNPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) against wild Enterococcus faecalis, comparing its MIC, MBC, and inhibition zones with those of a commercial CTZ paste. Methods. SNPs and ZnONPs (1 × 10−2 M) were synthesized and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Two antibiotic pastes (1%) were formulated, including a nanoparticle-modified version with a 4% reduction in antibiotic content. Commercial CTZ paste was prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wild E. faecalis strains were isolated from necrotic primary teeth (N = 30). MIC, MBC, and inhibition zones were determined using microdilution and Kirby–Bauer assays. Results. AB Paste and Nanopaste showed larger inhibition zones (ZOI) than the other formulations (p < 0.001). MIC and MBC analyses showed no significant differences among antibiotic formulations and SNPs (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Both the nanoparticle-free antibiotic paste and the nanoparticle-modified paste demonstrated greater inhibitory activity than commercial pastes and Nanoparticles. Despite containing 4% less antibiotics, the Nanopaste showed equivalent efficacy, indicating that reducing the drug content does not compromise antimicrobial performance and that SNPs contribute to this effect.

Mechanical and antibacterial efficacy of minocycline- and curcumin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles coated on dental implants for the treatment of peri-implantitis