Design of a thermosensitive ibuprofen-loaded nanogel as smart material applied as anti-inflammatory in tooth bleaching: An in vivo study

The in vivo ability of thermosensitive nanogel containing ibuprofen for bioadhesion on the surface of teeth submitted to bleaching and drug delivery through dentinal tubules to the dental pulp are evaluated in Wistar rats. Drug-loaded self-assembled oil in water nanoemulsions present droplet size <150 nm and negative zeta potential. Nanoemulsions containing poloxamer 407 in the aqueous phase exhibit reduced droplet size, improved physical stability, controlled the thermosensitive viscosity, and slow drug release.

Highlights

A novel thermosensitive ibuprofen nanogel with nanometric properties.

The nanogel has potential bioadhesive and penetration capacity into the bleached tooth.

The nanogel carries satisfactory amounts of the drug, minimizing the inflammatory process.

The nanogel is a potential vehicle for topical application of ibuprofen.

A novel therapeutic approach that will enable the reduction of dentin sensitivity.

Different treated animals’ groups included a control group (CTRL); bleached animals (BLE) (37.5% H₂O₂, Pola Office Plus®, SDI); bleached animals treated with a conventional ibuprofen-loaded hydrogel (BLE + IBF-GEL), and bleached animals treated with thermosensitive ibuprofen-loaded nanogel (BLE + IBF-NEG). Compared to the BLE + IBF-GEL group, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images show the superior ability of BLE + IBF-NEG group to offer a physical barrier on the tooth surface, pores occlusion, and transport the fluorescent dye rhodamine B to dental pulp.

Morphological analysis revealed the lowest inflammatory infiltrate scores and absence of necrosis for BLE + IBF-NEG group after 24 h and 14 days. Immunohistochemical studies reinforced this hypothesis. The experimental data presented in this study confirm the incredible potential for topical and easy application of a novel and smart nanogel, as analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment for bleaching procedure.

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Article information: Samara K.S.C.F. Moura, Milena L.V. dos Santos, Lucas A. do Nascimento, Mariana F.A. da Silva, Glória M. de França, Lucas M. da Costa, Aldo C. Medeiros, Raimundo F. Araújo-Júnior, Aurigena A. de Araújo, Cláudia N. Oliveira, André L. Dorini, Rejane A. de Carvalho, Boniek C.D. Borges, Arnóbio A. da Silva-Júnior, Hébel C. Galvão,
Design of a thermosensitive ibuprofen-loaded nanogel as smart material applied as anti-inflammatory in tooth bleaching: An in vivo study, Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, Volume 68, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103123.