Preparation of Carbonated Apatite Membrane as Metronidazole Delivery System for Periodontal Application

Introduction. Long term infection on periodontal tissue, mainly caused by anaerobic microbial, is not only related with tooth loss which lead to functional and esthetical impairment but also with increasing infection risk on other vital organs such as heart. Metronidazole is drug of choice for anaerobic bacterial infection. In this research, Metronidazole delivery system from carbonated apatite-based material was designed to increase the antibiotic therapeutic potential on local application as well as to promote tooth-supporting bone healing as a thin membrane to be applied on narrow periodontal tissue.Experimental. Metronidazole delivery system was prepared using different carbonate apatite composition on gelatin hydrogel system which was freeze-dried then polymerized by thermal treatment. Total 6 gelatin-carbonated apatite compositions were prepared: 10:0, 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4 and 5:5.The membranes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Water-content, air-water contact angle, tensile strength, Metronidazole-loading capacity, degradation profile and Metronidazole-release profile were studied to describe each composition potential as Metronidazole delivery system.Results and Discussion. Study on FTIR spectra and XRD confirmed preparation methods as standard procedures to prepare membrane formed delivery system-containing carbonate apatite. Descriptively from SEM, the film surface porosity was elevated by the increase of carbonate apatite composition. Tensile strength decreased was found by the increase of carbonate apatite composition. Water content, air-water contact angle, Metronidazole-loading capacity was not different significantly (P>0.05). Profile of degradation and Metronidazole-release from the membranes was different between compositions.Conclusions. This study results were essential to support next research on antibiotic potential using different anaerobic bacteria culture as well as bone regeneration potential on periodontal infection in vivo.