Gelatin/Cellulose nanowhiskers hydrogels intended for the administration of drugs in dental treatments: Study of lidocaine as model case

Abstract

Gelatin based hydrogels were synthesized by the thawing-freezing method employing gum Arabic as crosslinking agent. The incorporation of cellulose nanowhiskers (NC) was analyzed aiming to reach a control over the solubility/degradation rate, swelling properties and their ability to load anaesthetic drugs. Three concentrations of NC were explored, i.e: 1, 2 and 5%w/w with respect to the gelatin mass. The raw and NC containing hydrogels were well characterized in terms of the main properties regarding the intended application. Hence the swelling behaviour, solubility rate, gel fraction were determined as well as their thermal, morphological and rheological properties. In this work, the obtained biocompatible hydrogels have tested for their potential application in the lidocaine administration during dental practices. This drug has been taken as model between other potential therapeutic agents for buccal treatments such as antibiotics, analgesics, etc. The kinetic and mechanism of LID release were studied by means of available mathematical models. The hydrogels loaded LID here presented would be considered as potential raw materials to the fabrication of buccal patches in order to avoid, or at least minimize, the extensive use of injected anaesthesia during dental treatments.