Photodynamic potential of curcumin in bioadhesive formulations: Optical characteristics and antimicrobial effect against biofilms

Author(s)

Santezi, Carolina ; Reina, Barbara Donadon ^[1] ; de Annunzio, Sarah Raquel ^[2] ; Calixto, Giovana ^[3] ; Chorilli, Marlus ^[4] ; Dovigo, Livia Nordi ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Dent, Dept Social Dent, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNESP Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Pharm, Dept Clin Anal, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Biosci, UNICAMP, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[4] UNESP Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Pharm, Dept Drugs & Pharmaceut, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy; v. 35, SEP 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Background: Although Curcumin (CUR) has great potential as a photosensitizer, the low solubility in water impairs its clinical performance in photodynamic inactivation (PDI). This study sought to establish an effective antimicrobial protocol for PDI using CUR in three different bioadhesive formulations. Methods: A CUR-loaded chitosan hydrogel with a poloxamer (CUR-CHIH), a CUR-loaded liquid crystal precursor system (CUR-LCP), a CUR-loaded microemulsion (CUR-ME), and CUR in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution (CUR-S; control formulation) were tested against in vitro and in situ oral biofilms. The optical properties of each formulation were evaluated. Results: All of the formulations exhibited lower absorbance than CUR-S; however, the CUR-LCP curve bore the highest resemblance. The CUR present in all formulations was completely degraded after 15 min of illumination. In vitro experiments showed that CUR-S was the only formulation able to significantly reduce biofilm viability of Candida albicans and Lactobacillus casei when compared to the negative control (no PDI); the amount of reduction obtained was 1.8 and 3.7 log (CFU/mL) for C. albicans and L. casei, respectively. There was a significant reduction on the viability of Streptococcus mutans biofilms when CUR-S and CUR-LCP were applied (approximately 3.5 and 1.6 log {[}CFU/mL], respectively). In situ testing showed antimicrobial efficacy against S. mutans and general microorganisms. Conclusions: Although the evaluated protocols has not been effective to all of the evaluated microorganisms, PDI showed potential against dental biofilms and evidence that the phototoxic effects of CUR have a high relation with the type of formulation in which it is loaded. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/15770-6 - Efficacy of curcumin-mediated photodynamic inactivation against dental biofilms and evaluation of possible changes on the properties of composite resins and dental surface
• Grantee: Carolina Santezi Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/24112-8 - Efficacy of Curcumin-mediated Photodynamic Inactivation against in situ dental biofilms
• Grantee: Lívia Nordi Dovigo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants