Development of tetracycline-serratiopeptidase-containing periodontal gel: formulation and preliminary clinical study

The purpose of this research was to reduce the polymer concentration and to obtain reasonable viscosity at a lower concentration of pluronic by the addition of a viscosity modifier. A 20% wt/wt pluronic gel was prepared on a weight basis using the cold method. The effect of the amount of tetracycline and Aerosil on gel properties was studied. The gel was evaluated using different parameters: polarizing microscopy, gelation, gel melting, bioadhesivity, viscosity, drug release, and stability of enzyme. An in vivo study was performed to evaluate the clinical efficiency of the liquid crystalline gel. Addition of Aerosil to the gel favored hexagonal phase formation. Viscosity and bioadhesivity increased with an increase in the concentration of Aerosil. Release of tetracycline was sustained as the concentration of Aerosil increased. Various clinical parameters confirmed the acceptability and efficiency of this gel system.