Thermoresponsive nanohydrogel combining catfish collagen and guava leaf extract for local treatment of alveolar osteitis

Alveolar osteitis (AO) is the most common postoperative complication following tooth extraction. Current management strategies including analgesic dressings, antiseptic irrigation, and antibiotics face several limitations such as inadequate retention time, poor penetration of active agents, and potential mucosal irritation. This study aimed to develop, characterize, and evaluate a thermoresponsive nanohydrogel formulation combining Pangasius catfish collagen and guava leaf extract to overcome existing therapeutic challenges and enhance treatment efficacy. A laboratory experimental study was conducted using a factorial design and completely randomized design with three replications. Formulations were prepared as thermoresponsive nanohydrogels with varying collagen concentrations (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). The study involved extraction and identification of collagen and guava leaf components, toxicity assessment, nanoparticle formulation and characterization, thermoresponsive nanohydrogel development, and in vitro and in vivo efficacy evaluation. The developed thermoresponsive nanohydrogel exhibited physicochemical characteristics suitable for oral cavity application. In vitro testing demonstrated antibacterial activity with an inhibition zone of 15.24 ± 0.69 mm, sustained drug release profile, and hemostatic capacity with a blood clotting index of 31.28%. In vivo evaluation revealed rapid onset of action, reduction of TNF-α to 17.85 ± 0.69 ng/L, and enhanced cell proliferation and collagen density. These findings position the collagen-guava leaf thermoresponsive nanohydrogel as a promising therapeutic option for alveolar osteitis that addresses key limitations of existing treatments.