Clinical evaluation of ofloxacin-hydroxypropyl cellulose solution for infected root canal

We examined the stability of ofloxacin (OFLX) in the hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) solution, the viscosity and its antibacterial activity. The antibacterial agent polymer solution was formulated to use against inveterate root canal infections which were not relieved by conventional treatments, expected to perform sustained-release of the drug in the local area. The OFLX potency was maintained even in one year and a slight decrease of the viscosity (about 5% from original 450 cSt at 25°C) was observed. Little effect of HPC on the antibacterial activity was found against 21 bacterial strains examined which were collected from root canal and nearby. Ten patients with inveterate root canal infections were treated with the sustained-release medicament (OFLX-HPC) containing 0.5% of OFLX in the 2.25% HPC. A 50-100 μl of the drug solution was applied through a syringe needle into the infected channel once a week. The clinical effects were evaluated by scoring the disappearance of various symptoms such as spontaneous, occlusal and percussion pains, bleeding of root canal and pus discharge. The overall results were excellent in 5 patients, good in 4 patients and poor in one patient. No appreciable adverse reactions were observed for any patients.