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Cited by 48Endodontics and Root Canal TreatmentsPhotodynamic Therapy Research StudiesNanoplatforms for cancer theranostics

Photodynamic and nitric oxide therapy-based synergistic antimicrobial nanoplatform: an advanced root canal irrigation system for endodontic bacterial infections

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Zeng, Youyun, Hu, Xiangyu, Cai, Zhibin, Qiu, Dongchao, Ran, Ying, Ding, Yiqin, Shi, Jiayi, Cai, Xiaojun, Pan, Yihuai·2024·Journal of Nanobiotechnology
DOI 10.1186/s12951-024-02483-8PMC PMC11059741
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Abstract

Background: The main issues faced during the treatment of apical periodontitis are the management of bacterial infection and the facilitation of the repair of alveolar bone defects to shorten disease duration. Conventional root canal irrigants are limited in their efficacy and are associated with several side effects. This study introduces a synergistic therapy based on nitric oxide (NO) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for the treatment of apical periodontitis. Results: This research developed a multifunctional nanoparticle, CGP, utilizing guanidinylated poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-Caprolactone) polymer as a carrier, internally loaded with the photosensitizer chlorin e6. During root canal irrigation, the guanidino groups on the surface of CGP enabled effective biofilm penetration. These groups undergo oxidation by hydrogen peroxide in the aPDT process, triggering the release of NO without hindering the production of singlet oxygen. The generated NO significantly enhanced the antimicrobial capability and biofilm eradication efficacy of aPDT. Furthermore, CGP not only outperforms conventional aPDT in eradicating biofilms but also effectively promotes the repair of alveolar bone defects post-eradication. Importantly, our findings reveal that CGP exhibits significantly higher biosafety compared to sodium hypochlorite, alongside superior therapeutic efficacy in a rat model of apical periodontitis. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CGP, an effective root irrigation system based on aPDT and NO, has a promising application in root canal therapy.

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  • Enzymolysis- and photothermal-mediated nanoplatforms have been developed to degrade extracellular polymeric substances and enhance biofilm penetration.

    “enzymolysis- and photothermal-mediated nanoplatforms have been developed to degrade extracellular polymeric substances and enhance biofilm penetration”

    From Polydopamine-Based Biomaterials in Oral Medicine: Applications, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [70]

    The Results and discussion section ('Bacterial association and biofilm permeation of CGP'; page unavailable) reports that the CGP nanoplatform penetrated biofilms more effectively than free Ce6. The paper describes guanidinylation and photodynamic/nitric oxide therapy, not enzymolysis or photothermal action, and does not report degradation of extracellular polymeric substances. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Photodynamic and nitric oxide therapy-based synergistic systems have been proposed as advanced root canal irrigation strategies for endodontic bacterial infections.

    “photodynamic and nitric oxide therapy-based synergistic systems have been proposed as advanced root canal irrigation strategies for endodontic bacterial infections.69,70”

    From Polydopamine-Based Biomaterials in Oral Medicine: Applications, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [70]

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References 57 · Cited by 48

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Authors
Zeng, Y., Hu, X., Cai, Z., Qiu, D., Ran, Y., Ding, Y., Shi, J., Cai, X., & Pan, Y.
Affiliations
Wenzhou Medical University (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Cai, Xiaojun
  • Pan, Yihuai
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2024-04-30
Volume
22
Issue
1
Pages
213-213
ISSN
1477-3155 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12951-024-02483-8
PMC
PMC11059741
OpenAlex
W4396518564
Cited by
48
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 4
FWCI
20.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Nanobiotechnology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Medicine and Health Science and Technology Plan Projects in Zhejiang province (2022RC212)
  • Wenzhou Major Science and Technology Special Project (ZY2022019)
  • Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LGF21H140005)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Oral Surgery › Endodontics and Root Canal Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
Keywords
antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, nitric oxide, root canal irrigation, apical periodontitis, chlorin e6, biofilm eradication, alveolar bone healing, biosafety
MeSH terms
Animals, Anti-Infective Agents, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Bacterial Infections, Chlorophyllides, Male, Nitric Oxide, Periapical Periodontitis, Photochemotherapy, Root Canal Irrigants, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Photosensitizing Agents, Biofilms, Rats, Nanoparticles

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