RESUMO
The present investigation aims at developing novel injectable in-situ gel containing ornidazole (ORDZ) loaded chitosan microspheres for treatment of periodontal disease. Microspheres were prepared by emulsification-ionotropic gelation method. Prepared microspheres were evaluated extensively for particle size, equilibrium swelling studies, bioadhesion, percentage drug release and antimicrobial activity. The mean diameter of the microspheres was found in the range of 29.1-52.65 µm. The microspheres showed good swelling properties. Percentage equilibrium swelling was dependent upon the amount of chitosan. The in vitro drug release and bioadhesion studies were dependent on the extent of crosslinking and chitosan concentration. The ORDZ–loaded microspheres showed drug encapsulation in the range of 11.02±0.98 - 32.45±0.62 % and sustained the release up to 5 days. The drug release from microspheres was diffusion controlled. The antimicrobial study indicated inhibition of growth of Staphylococcus aureus at all drug concentrations of in vitro release samples. In situ gel containing optimized microspheres extended the drug release up to 7 days. Results of the study demonstrated good bioadhesion of the in-situ gel containing microspheres as well as exhibited sustained release of drug. The in-situ gel containing ORDZ- loaded chitosan microspheres may be an efficient alternative to the other known delivery systems for treatment of Periodontitis.