Drug intercalation in layered double hydroxide clay: Application in the development of a nanocomposite film for guided tissue regeneration

It has been proposed that localized and controlled delivery of alendronate and tetracycline to periodontal pocket fluids via guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes may be a valuable adjunctive treatment for advanced periodontitis. The objectives of this work were to develop a co-loaded, controlled release tetracycline and alendronate nanocomposite plasticized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) film that would form a suitable matrix supporting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

Alendronate release was successfully controlled, with complete suppression of the burst phase of release by intercalation of alendronate anions in magnesium/aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay nanoparticles and dispersed in the PLGA film matrix. Tetracycline, loaded as free drug into the film together with alendronate–LDH clay complex released more rapidly than alendronate, but showed evidence of intercalation in the LDH clay particles.

The dual drug loaded nanocomposite films were biocompatible with osteoblasts and after 5 week incubations, significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and bone nodule formation were observed.