Introduction

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues, which can lead to tooth loss and significant sub-gingival tissue deformities anaerobic pathogenic bacteria, where Porphyromonas gingivalis play a vital role in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is proposed as an alternative treatment approach due to bacterial resistance.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to prepare and characterize the photodynamic effect of toluidine blue (TB)-loaded PLGA nanoparticles, in combination with a red light on the periodontal microorganism P. gingivalis.

Material and methods

The present study include the following methods: 1) preparations, characterization, and optimization of TB-loaded surface PLGA nanoparticles, and 2) bacterial photodestruction mediated by cationic or anionic TB-loaded nanoparticles in vitro.

Results

Particle size and zeta potential of cationic TB-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were 24.0 nm and +44.0 mV, respectively. TB loading and release show in sufficient concentrations in killing P. gingivalis. Nano-photodynamic therapy with TB-loaded PLGA nanoparticles inhibited 8 log10 the growth of bacteria at concentrations of 6.25-12.5 μg/ml. The minimal bactericidal concentration of TB for 8 log10 CFU reduction (0.5 McFarland) was 12.5 μg/ml.

Conclusions

Nano-photodynamic therapy with cationic TB-loaded PLGA red light is useful in killing P. gingivalis than anionic TB-loaded PLGA. It gives future directions and promising results in clinical trials