Injectability and mechanical properties of borneol-based solvent removal-induced in situ matrix for periodontal pocket delivery

Abstract

Solvent removal-induced in situ matrices (ISMs) have garnered attention for periodontitis treatment because of their capability to localize antibiotic drug release within the periodontal pocket over an extended duration, effectively targeting and eliminating infecting microbes. In this study, various concentrations of borneol—10%–70%—were used as a matrix agent in ISMs, with a 40% w/w borneol-based ISM selected to load 1% vancomycin HCl. The injectability and mechanical properties of drug-free and vancomycin HCl-loaded borneol ISMs were evaluated with a texture analyzer. Both maximum injection force and energy increased proportionally with borneol concentrations and slightly further with vancomycin HCl. Nevertheless, the injection energy required for borneol-loaded ISMs at 10%–50% was low, from 12.22–25.00 mJ. Consequently, these formulations were considered appropriate and feasible as injectable drug delivery systems, providing ease of administration while promoting patient comfort and compliance. Additionally, a more compact borneol matrix was formed after complete solvent removal; it exhibited plastic deformation, enabling close adaptation to the periodontal pocket geometry.