Injectable Thermosensitive Gel CH-BPNs-NBP for Effective Periodontitis Treatment through ROS-Scavenging and Jaw Vascular Unit Protection.

Periodontitis, a prevalent inflammatory condition in the oral cavity, is closely associated with oxidative stress-induced tissue damage mediated by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The jaw vascular unit (JVU), encompassing both vascular and lymphatic vessels, plays a crucial role in maintaining tissue fluid homeostasis and contributes to the pathological process in inflammatory diseases of the jaw. In this study, we present a novel approach for treating periodontitis through the development of an injectable thermosensitive gel (CH-BPNs-NBP). The gel formulation incorporated black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNs), which are notable for their ROS-scavenging properties, and dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), a vasodilator that promotes lymphatic vessel function within the JVU. Our results demonstrated that the designed thermosensitive gel served as a controlled release system, delivering BPNs and NBP to the site of inflammation. CH-BPNs-NBP not only protected macrophages and human lymphatic endothelial cells from ROS attack but also promoted M2 polarization and lymphatic function. In in vivo studies, we observed a significant reduction in inflammation and tissue damage, accompanied by a notable promotion of alveolar bone regeneration. This research introduces a promising therapeutic strategy for periodontitis, leveraging the unique properties of BPNs and NBP within an injectable thermosensitive gel. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.