Sodium Diclofenac‐Loaded Drug Delivery Microspheres: Impact on Calcium Hydroxide Paste Properties and Biological Response

ABSTRACT This study evaluated whether the incorporation of sodium diclofenac‐loaded microspheres into a calcium hydroxide paste enhances antibiofilm activity while maintaining physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. Calcium hydroxide paste, calcium hydroxide combined with sodium diclofenac, and calcium hydroxide containing sodium diclofenac‐loaded microspheres were evaluated against Enterococcus faecalis biofilms. Antibiofilm activity was assessed by biofilm biovolume and bacterial viability, whereas physicochemical properties were determined by pH and calcium ion release. Biocompatibility was investigated using a rat subcutaneous implantation model. The microsphere‐containing formulation showed the lowest biofilm biovolume (17.47 μm 3 ) and bacterial viability (5.64%), significantly outperforming calcium hydroxide alone (34.66 μm 3 and 50.08%, respectively; p < 0.001). All materials maintained an alkaline pH, sustained calcium ion release, and showed similar biocompatibility. Sodium diclofenac‐loaded microspheres enhanced the antibiofilm activity of calcium hydroxide paste without adversely affecting physicochemical properties or biocompatibility.