Formulation and evaluation of chitosan films containing sparfloxacin for the treatment of periodontitis

In the present study an attempt has been made to formulate and evaluate a sustained release periodontal film of Sparfloxacin with biodegradable, cost effective polymer Chitosan. The objective of the study was to formulate intra-pocket periodontal films, which could be easily placed into the periodontal pocket, and thus be capable of delivering therapeutic concentrations of drug. Sparfloxacin is an antibiotic, showing wide spectrum antibacterial activity against a number of periodontal pathogens. Hence Sparfloxacin is selected as model for site specific delivery, i.e., into periodontal pocket for the treatment of periodontitis. In the present investigation Chitosan films containing Sparfloxacin were prepared by solution casting method using acetic acid. The copolymers HPMC K4M, Sodium CMC and Eudragit RL 100 in the concentrations of 10%, 20% and 30% w/w of Chitosan were added into the polymeric solution. Propylene glycol was used as plasticizer. FT-IR and UV spectroscopic methods revealed no interaction between Sparfloxacin and polymers. The drug loaded films were evaluated for their thickness, weight variation, content uniformity, tensile strength, percent elongation, percentage moisture loss, surface pH, folding endurance, in- vitro drug release studies, in - vitro antibacterial activity and stability studies. Periodontal films showed initial burst release of drug on 1st day and then the release was sustained for a period of 8 days. In – vitro antibacterial activity was carried out on staphylococcus aureus and the antibacterial activity was retained for 96 hours. In - vitro release from periodontal films was fit to kinetic models to reveal drug release kinetics. Keywords: Periodontitis, Sparfloxacin, Bio-adhesive polymers