Effect of Curcumin-loaded Photoactivatable Polymeric Nanoparticle on peri-implantitis-related biofilm

Abstract

Curcumin has been used as a photosensitizer (PS) for antimicrobial photodynamic chemotherapy (PACT). However, its low solubility, instability and poor bioavailability are a challenge for its in vivo application. This study aimed to synthesize curcumin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (curcumin-NP) and to determine their antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects. Nanoparticles (NP) were synthesized by the nanoprecipitation method using polyprolactone as a polymer. Curcumin-NP was characterized by particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy and curcumin encapsulation efficiency (EE). Curcumin-NP was compared to free curcumin solubilized in 10% DMSO as photosensitizers for PACT in single and multi-species Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus oralis biofilms. Chlorhexidine 0.12% (CHX) and ultrapure water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The cytotoxic effect of curcumin-NP was evaluated on human periodontal ligament fibroblast cells (HPLF). Data were analyzed by ANOVA (α=0.05). Curcumin-NP exhibited homogeneity and stability in solution, small particle size and 67.5% EE of curcumin. Curcumin-NP presented antibiofilm activity at 500 µg/ml when photoactivated. Curcumin-NP and curcumin with and without photoactivation were not cytotoxic to HPLF cells. Curcumin-NP has antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties, with better effects when associated with blue-light, being a promising therapy for preventing and treating peri-implant diseases.