Development and in vitro evaluation of thiolated chitosan--Poly(methacrylic acid) nanoparticles as a local mucoadhesive delivery system.

The main objective of this study was to develop a local, oral mucoadhesive metronidazole benzoate (MET) delivery system that can be applied and removed by the patient for the treatment of periodontal diseases. The results of present study revealed that the retention time of MET at its absorption site could be increased by formulating it into nanoparticles using thiolated chitosan (TCS)-poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA). The nanoparticles of MET prepared from TCS-PMAA may represent a useful approach for targeting its release at its site of absorption, sustaining its release and improving its oral availability.