Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose as a film and hydrogel carrier for ACP nanoprecursors to deliver biomimetic mineralization

Abstract

Demineralization of hard tooth tissues leads to dental caries, which cause health problems and economic burdens throughout the world. A biomimetic mineralization strategy is expected to reverse early dental caries. Commercially available anti-carious mineralizing products lead to inconclusive clinical results because they cannot continuously replenish the required calcium and phosphate resources. Herein, we prepared a mineralizing film consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and polyaspartic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (PAsp-ACP) nanoparticles. HPMC which contains multiple hydroxyl groups is a film-forming material that can be desiccated to form a dry film. In a moist environment, this film gradually changes into a gel. HPMC was used as the carrier of PAsp-ACP nanoparticles to deliver biomimetic mineralization. Our results indicated that the hydroxyl and methoxyl groups of HPMC could assist the stability of PAsp-ACP nanoparticles and maintain their biomimetic mineralization activity. The results further demonstrated that the bioinspired mineralizing film induced the early mineralization of demineralized dentin after 24 h with increasing mineralization of the whole demineralized dentin (3–4 µm) after 72–96 h. Furthermore, these results were achieved without any cytotoxicity or mucosa irritation. Therefore, this mineralizing film shows promise for use in preventive dentistry due to its efficient mineralization capability. Graphical Abstract

Hydrogels for the treatment of oral and maxillofacial diseases: current research, challenges, and future directions

“…Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) has been reported to be applied as a film and hydrogel carrier for polyaspartic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (PAsp–ACP) nanoprecursors to deliver biomimetic mineralization of dentin. The hydrogel induced the early mineralization of demineralized dentin after 24 h, with increasing mineralization of the whole demineralized dentin (3–4 μm) after 72–96 h. 171 In another similar study, notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) was also loaded in Gel–MA as pulp-capping materials to induce dentin formation. 172 Thus, hydrogels have the ability to induce dentin or dentin-like layer mineralization and thickening, helping promote reparative dentinogenesis.…”

The application of hydrogels for enamel remineralization

“… Adding polymers to stabilize ACP: Apart from natural biomacromolecules, some synthetic polymers have been shown to slow the rate of ACP aggregation into HAP crystals. Wang et al stabilized ACP with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and polyaspartic acid, and obtained ordered HAP crystals both in vivo and in vitro, achieving a satisfactory remineralization effect on enamel [ 84 ]. …”

Research Advances on Hydrogel-Based Materials for Tissue Regeneration and Remineralization in Tooth

“…The results show that HPMC’s hydroxyl and methoxy groups can assist the stability of PAsp–ACP nanoparticles and maintain their biomimetic mineralization activity. The results further showed that the biostimulation mineralized membrane induced early mineralization of demineralized dentin after 24 h, and the entire demineralized dentin (3–4 µm) mineralization increased after 72 to 96 h [ 118 ].…”