PLA Nanofibers for Microenvironmental-Responsive Quercetin Release in Local Periodontal Treatment

Abstract

The management of periodontitis remains a vital clinical challenge due to the interplay between the microorganisms of the dental biofilm and the host inflammatory response leading to a degenerative process in the surrounding tissues. Quercetin (QUE), a natural flavonol found in many foods, including apples, onions and tea, has exhibited prolonged and strong antibiofilm and anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. However, its clinical application is limited by its poor stability and water solubility, as well as its low bioavailability. Thus, in the present study, electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers loaded with different amounts (5–10% w/w) of QUE were produced to rapidly respond to the acidic microenvironment typical of periodontal pockets during periodontal disease. This strategy demonstrated that PLA-QUE membranes can act as a drug reservoir releasing high QUE concentrations in the presence of oral bacterial infection (pH < 5.5), and thus limiting Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Streptococcus mutans biofilm maturation. In addition, released QUE exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on P. gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human gingival fibroblast (HGFs). The reported results confirmed that PLA-QUE membranes could inhibit subgingival biofilm maturation while reducing interleukin release, thereby limiting host inflammatory response. Overall, this study provided an effective pH-sensitive drug delivery system as a promising strategy for treating periodontitis.

Chemical upcycling of polylactide (PLA) and its use in fabricating PLA-based super-hydrophobic and oleophilic electrospun nanofibers for oil absorption and oil/water separation

“…57,58 The fiber mats exhibited negligible changes when placed at a pH range of 4.5–6.8 for 46 days. 52,53,59 Hydrophobic PLA fiber mats also showed good hydrolytic resistance even under pH values 11 and 3 because of their high resistance to hydroxide penetration. 60–62 Although PLA and the additives used in preparing these fiber mats are dissoluble in several solvents, e.g.…”

“…These strongly depend on the stability of the PLA filaments and the adhesion between the AKD-grafted gPLA additive on the filament surfaces. The durability of PLA fibers in various environments has been reported, including aging and harsh conditions, 50,51 pH, 52,53 organic solvents, and hydrolytic degradation. [54][55][56] Under UV-ozone exposure, neat PLA fiber mats started to show insignificant changes in structure and morphology at the exposure time of 5 min.…”

“…57,58 The fiber mats exhibited negligible changes when placed at a pH range of 4.5-6.8 for 46 days. 52,53,59 Hydrophobic PLA fiber mats also showed good hydrolytic resistance even under pH values 11 and 3 because of their high resistance to hydroxide penetration. [60][61][62] Although PLA and the additives used in preparing these fiber mats are dissoluble in several solvents, e.g., THF, chloroform and dichloromethane, the prepared fiber mats show high resistance to various organic solvents, including alcohols, acetone, hexane, cyclohexane, toluene, tetrachloromethane, silicone oil, pump oil, and vegetable oils.…”

Thermo-Responsive Gel Containing Hydroxytyrosol-Chitosan Nanoparticles (Hyt@tgel) Counteracts the Increase of Osteoarthritis Biomarkers in Human Chondrocytes

“…The mix was incubated for 40 min at 100 °C prior to centrifugation at 14,000 rpm for 2 min. The supernatant was analyzed with a microplate reader at a wavelength of 532 nm [ 39 ].…”

ROS-scavenging biomaterials for periodontitis

“…75 In addition to direct coating, sending small molecular ROS scavengers as fillers in nanomaterials, or wrapping in nanomaterials as the main content is another delivery strategy. 76,77 Quercetin (QUE) is one of the most promising molecules for the treatment of periodontal disease among selected flavonoids. 61,78 Cristo et al encapsulated QUE into electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers by electrospinning.…”