Injectable Liposome-Loaded Hydrogel Formulations with Controlled Release of Curcumin and α-Tocopherol for Dental Tissue Engineering.

An injectable hydrogel formulation was developed utilizing low- and high-molecular-weight chitosan (LCH and HCH) incorporated with curcumin and α-tocopherol-loaded liposomes (Lip/Cur+Toc). Cur and Toc releases were delayed within the hydrogels. The injectability of hydrogels was proved via rheological analyses. In vitro studies were conducted using human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) to examine the biological performance of the hydrogels towards endodontics and periodontics, respectively. The viability of hDPSCs treated with the hydrogels with Lip/Cur+Toc was the highest till day 14, compared to the neat hydrogels. During odontogenic differentiation tests, ALP activity of hDPSCs was induced in the Cur-containing groups. Biomineralization was enhanced mostly with Lip/Cur+Toc incorporation. The viability of hGFs was the highest in HCH combined with Lip/Cur+Toc while wound healing occurred almost 100% in both (Lip/Cur+Toc@LCH and Lip/Cur+Toc@HCH) after 2 days. Antioxidant activity of Lip/Cur+Toc@LCH on hGFs was significantly the highest among the groups. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated that Lip/Cur+Toc@LCH was more effective against Escherichia coli whereas so was Lip/Cur+Toc@HCH against Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial mechanism of the hydrogels was investigated for the first time through various computational models. LCH and HCH loaded with Lip/Cur+Toc were promising candidates with multi-functional features for endodontics and periodontics. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.