Formulation, In Vitro Characterization and Clinical Evaluation of Ofloxacin Medicated Dental Gels for Periodontal Infections

The objective of the present study was to develop ofloxacin medicated dental gels for extended period of time. The clinical evaluation of ofloxacin was carried out to determine the efficacy in the treatment of periodontitis. The ofloxacin medicated dental gels prepared with different hydrophilic polymers methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose and hydroxy ethyl cellulose in different concentrations of propylene glycol. The formulations were subjected for various physicchemical studies like pH, spreadability, extrudability, viscosity, drug content, in vitro drug release, rheological, stability studies, and clinical studies. During rheological studies showed that all the gels were non-newtonian and exhibit pseudoplastic behavior. Optimal formulations were selected for clinical studies. Six groups, each containing five patients, were used in the study. All the patients were evaluated for plaque index, gingival index, probing depth and bleeding on probing. In all these studies, two groups were treated with only formulations and other two groups were treated with formulations with scaling and root planning. One group is treated with only scaling and root planning, where as last group was treated as control. All the groups showed a similar base line PI. However, PI values decreased remarkably in the groups treated by formulation along with scaling and root planning when compared to other groups. Similarly the results of GI, BOP and PD also show a significant reduction in the groups treated by formulation along with scaling and root planning compared to other groups. The above studies revealed that adjunctive use of ofloxacin gels along with scaling and root planning results in significant benefits in the treatment of periodontitis.