Abstract: Objective:To prepare berberine (BBR)-loaded chitosan/sodium β-glycerophosphate (CS/β-GP) thermosensitive hydrogels and investigate its basic physical, chemical properties and biological characteristics, to evaluate the potential role in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.Methods:CS/β-GP thermosensitive hydrogel was prepared by physical cross-linking, and BBR was added by embedding. According to the concentration of BBR, 25, 50, 100 μg/mLBBR/CS/β-GP thermosensitive hydrogel was prepared, and CS/β-GP thermosensitive hydrogel was used as a control to characterize each gel gelation time and pH, rheological properties, micromorphology and drug release rate. CCK8 method was used to detect the effects of hydrogels on the proliferation of periodontal ligament cells. The inhibition zone experiment was used to analyze each group’s antibacterial effect of on periodontal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.gingivalis) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum).Results:Each group of gels has good injectability at 4℃, and phase transition can be completed around body temperature. The phase transition temperature of CS/β-GP is 37.26℃. The hydrogels of each group can be gelled within 3 minutes at 37℃. The pH is in the neutral range. The results of gel electron microscopy show a uniform interconnected scaffold structure. BBR/CS/β-GP hydrogel can continuously release BBR slowly invitro, and the cumulative release rate can reach 70%~85% in 12 hours; co-cultivation of gels and periodontal ligament cells in each group shows good biological properties for 1, 3 and 5 days; each group of hydrogels can inhibit the growth of P.gingivalis and F. nucleatum.The greater the drug concentration, the stronger the antibacterial effect.Conclusions:BBR/CS/β-GP has better physical and chemical properties and biological characteristics, and has a certain bacteriostatic effect on periodontal pathogens. It can be used as a topical treatment option for chronic periodontitis.

Key words: [Key words] Hydrogel, berberine, periodontitis, drug delivery system