Fabrication and characterization of a glucose-sensitive antibacterial chitosan-polyethylene oxide hydrogel

•A new glucose-sensitive chitosan-polyethylene oxide (CS-PEO) hydrogel system for controlled release of antibiotics was developed.•The mechanical property and biocompatibility of the hydrogel was enhanced with increasing PEO concentration.•This hydrogel showed higher drug release and greater ability to inhibit Porphyromonas gingivalis at higher glucose concentration.

A novel glucose-sensitive chitosan-polyethylene oxide (CS/PEO = 1:0.5-1:2.5) hydrogel with controlled release of metronidazole (MNZ) was obtained by chemical cross-linking and immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx). The hydrogel was characterized by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), compressive mechanical test, rheological analysis, cytotoxicity test, and antibacterial test against Porphyromonas gingivalis. The study found that the CS-PEO composite hydrogel possessed significantly better mechanical properties and biocompatibility than a single-component hydrogel. This might result from the physical cross-linking and formation of semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN). In addition, this novel hydrogel has a self-regulating ability to release MNZ in response to the environmental glucose stimulus. Specifically, it released more drugs at higher glucose concentration, thus can lead to a greater ability to inhibit P. gingivalis. This study has demonstrated the glucose-sensitive antibacterial hydrogel has a great potential as a new therapeutic material for treatment or prevention of periodontitis in diabetic patients.

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