Development of a Doxycycline Hydrochloride-Loaded Electrospun Nanofibrous Membrane for GTR/GBR Applications

A drug-loaded membrane was prepared by electrospinning Poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) with doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX) (15–25% w/w). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that fibrous average diameter decreased from  nm to  nm with the drug proportion increasing from 15% to 20% w/w, while there was no significant difference between 20% and 25% groups. The polymer matrix showed good encapsulation value (58–75%) for DOX, and the drug showed an amorphous manner in the polymer matrix. The agar diffusion test revealed that DOX-loaded membranes had an obvious inhibited effect on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), respectively. In vitro release test showed that DOX could persistently be released for a prolonged time more than 28 days, and the DOX level in the eluent steadied at 3–5 μg/mL which was all above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of DOX against Aa (0.125 μg/mL) and Pg (0.0625 μg/mL). Cytocompatibility, assessed in human periodontal ligament cells (hPLCs) by MTT-test and the morphology of cells on the surface of DOX-loaded membranes by SEM, indicated that all of the investigated nanofibrous membranes can be used to treat periodontal disease by integrating the GTR/GBR operation and antibiotic therapy. Above all, DOX-loaded nanofibrous membranes could have a persistent inhibited effect on periodontal pathogens to provide a relatively sterile environment for tissue repair and regeneration.