Development and evaluation of novel biodegradable microspheres based on poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(ε-caprolactone) for controlled delivery of doxycycline in the treatment of human periodontal pocket: In vitro and in vivo studies

This study reports on the development of novel biodegradable microspheres prepared by water-in-oil–water (W/O/W) double emulsion technique using the blends of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) in different ratios for the controlled delivery of doxycycline (DXY). Doxycycline encapsulation of up to 24% was achieved within the polymeric microspheres. Blend placebo microspheres, drug-loaded microspheres and pristine DXY were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), which indicated no interaction between drug and polymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) on drug-loaded microspheres confirmed the polymorphism of DXY and indicated a molecular level dispersion of DXY in the microspheres. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the spherical nature and smooth surfaces of the microspheres produced. Mean particle size of the microspheres as measured by dynamic laser light scattering method ranged between 90 and 200 μm. In vitro release studies performed in 7.4 pH media indicated the release of DXY from 7 to 11 days, depending upon the blend ratio of the matrix. Up to 11 days, DXY concentrations in the gingival crevicular fluid were higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration of DXY against most of the periodontal pathogens. One of the developed formulations was subjected to in vivo efficacy studies in thirty sites of human periodontal pockets. Significant results were obtained with respect to both microbiological and clinical parameters up to 3 months even as compared to commercial DXY gel. Statistical analyses of the release data and in vivo results were performed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method.