Evaluation of the potential of sodium alginate films containing curcumin encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles associated with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of oral biofilms

Abstract

The oral cavity consists of several species of microorganisms, including Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans, they are the most prevalent and they are arranged in the form of biofilms and may cause caries, periodontal diseases, candidiasis, endodontic infections, among others diseases. The conventional treatment for the removal of oral biofilms consists in their mechanical removal (physical process) associated with the systemic administration of antimicrobials, which causes several side effects to the patient, besides being a potential causer of microbial resistance. Alternative therapies have been developed for the treatment of diseases in the oral cavity, among them, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), which it is made with the use of a Photosensitizer (PS) as curcumin (CUR) but, it has a hydrophobic compound and have rapid degradation when exposed to specific conditions of light, temperature, oxygen, alkaline conditions. The strategy to overcome these disadvantages is the incorporation of CUR in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), which offers important benefits, as improved solubility, pharmacological action and protection against degradation. The incorporation of NPs@CUR into sodium alginate films (FA), a polymer with mucoadhesive properties and will be contribute significantly to the adhesion of the system in the oral cavity, optimizing the application of PDT and the consequent reduction of side effects and microbial resistance. The present work has the objective of evaluating the potential of sodium alginate films containing curcumin encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles associated with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of oral biofilms. The NPs will be characterized using mean hydrodynamic diameter analysis, polydispersity, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, FS encapsulation efficiency, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, thermogravimetry and photodegradation by irradiation time. The oral films will be characterized using the swelling profile, thickness determination, water vapor permeability and mechanical properties and bioadhesion. The final system (FAS/NPs@CUR) will be subjected to in vitro release studies and in vitro biological assays using artificial saliva. Expected to obtain a stable system, with adequate particle size, uniform and with antimicrobial efficacy. (AU)