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Not yet recruitingNCT07634341Updated Jun 8, 2026

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Doxycycline and Atorvastatin Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles as an Adjunctive to Scaling and Root Planning in the Management of Chronic Periodontitis. A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

A Phase 4 interventional study of Doxycycline and Atorvastatin loaded Chitosan nanoparticles local drug in Chronic Periodontitis, sponsored by Fayoum University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 25 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-08.

Sponsored by Fayoum University · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
80
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
25 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Chronic periodontitis is one of the most prevalent inflammatory diseases affecting the tooth-supporting structures and is characterized by progressive clinical attachment loss and alveolar bone resorption resulting from a complex interaction between pathogenic microorganisms and the host inflammatory and immune responses. If left untreated, the disease may ultimately lead to tooth loss and negatively affect oral health and quality of life.

Scaling and root planing (SRP) is considered the gold-standard non-surgical treatment for chronic periodontitis. It aims to remove dental plaque and calculus deposits and reduce the subgingival bacterial load. Although SRP has demonstrated significant clinical benefits, its effectiveness may be limited in certain situations, particularly in deep periodontal pockets and anatomically complex areas that are difficult to access. Therefore, adjunctive therapeutic approaches have been investigated to enhance treatment outcomes and improve long-term periodontal stability.

In recent years, local drug delivery systems have gained considerable attention in periodontal therapy due to their ability to provide high therapeutic concentrations directly at the site of infection while minimizing systemic adverse effects. Chitosan has emerged as a promising biomaterial for this purpose because of its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial properties, and its ability to form nanoparticles capable of sustained and controlled drug release within periodontal pockets.

Doxycycline is widely used in periodontal treatment because of its antimicrobial activity against periodontal pathogens as well as its ability to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play a key role in connective tissue destruction and alveolar bone loss. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated that atorvastatin, beyond its well-known lipid-lowering effects, possesses anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and osteogenic properties that may contribute to periodontal tissue regeneration and improved clinical outcomes.

The research problem arises from the limited effectiveness of scaling and root planing alone in some cases of chronic periodontitis and the need for innovative adjunctive therapies that combine antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and bone regenerative effects. Therefore, evaluating the therapeutic potential of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with doxycycline and atorvastatin may provide a novel and effective approach for periodontal treatment.

The aim of this study is to clinically and radiographically evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with doxycycline and atorvastatin as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in patients with chronic periodontitis. Clinical outcomes, including probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP), as well as radiographic changes in alveolar bone levels, will be assessed and compared with conventional treatment outcomes. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of a more effective and biologically targeted therapeutic strategy for the management of chronic periodontitis.

Read the detailed description

Chronic periodontitis is one of the most prevalent inflammatory diseases affecting the tooth-supporting structures and is characterized by progressive clinical attachment loss and alveolar bone resorption resulting from a complex interaction between pathogenic microorganisms and the host inflammatory and immune responses. If left untreated, the disease may ultimately lead to tooth loss and negatively affect oral health and quality of life.

Scaling and root planing (SRP) is considered the gold-standard non-surgical treatment for chronic periodontitis. It aims to remove dental plaque and calculus deposits and reduce the subgingival bacterial load. Although SRP has demonstrated significant clinical benefits, its effectiveness may be limited in certain situations, particularly in deep periodontal pockets and anatomically complex areas that are difficult to access. Therefore, adjunctive therapeutic approaches have been investigated to enhance treatment outcomes and improve long-term periodontal stability.

In recent years, local drug delivery systems have gained considerable attention in periodontal therapy due to their ability to provide high therapeutic concentrations directly at the site of infection while minimizing systemic adverse effects. Chitosan has emerged as a promising biomaterial for this purpose because of its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial properties, and its ability to form nanoparticles capable of sustained and controlled drug release within periodontal pockets.

Doxycycline is widely used in periodontal treatment because of its antimicrobial activity against periodontal pathogens as well as its ability to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play a key role in connective tissue destruction and alveolar bone loss. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated that atorvastatin, beyond its well-known lipid-lowering effects, possesses anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and osteogenic properties that may contribute to periodontal tissue regeneration and improved clinical outcomes.

The research problem arises from the limited effectiveness of scaling and root planing alone in some cases of chronic periodontitis and the need for innovative adjunctive therapies that combine antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and bone regenerative effects. Therefore, evaluating the therapeutic potential of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with doxycycline and atorvastatin may provide a novel and effective approach for periodontal treatment.

The aim of this study is to clinically and radiographically evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with doxycycline and atorvastatin as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in patients with chronic periodontitis. Clinical outcomes, including probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP), as well as radiographic changes in alveolar bone levels, will be assessed and compared with conventional treatment outcomes. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of a more effective and biologically targeted therapeutic strategy for the management of chronic periodontitis.

02

Conditions studied

  • Chronic Periodontitis

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Keywords

  • deep periodontal pocket local drug Doxycycline Atorvastatin
03

In context

Chronic Periodontitis

377 studies on the registry are indexed under Chronic Periodontitis; 21 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 80 is above the median of 46 across 307 interventional studies indexed under Chronic Periodontitis.

Browse Chronic Periodontitis studies →

Lead sponsor

Fayoum University is the lead sponsor of 148 studies on the registry; 44 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
25 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • In order for patients to be considered in the study, they must meet the following criteria: 1) they should have stage II and stage III periodontitis 2) Patients' age range equal or more than 25 years old .

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with any systemic condition that may affect periodontal health and bone formation, such as; those who are pregnant, nursing, or women; DM, CVD, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, AIDS and chronic alcoholism .

2) Patients having local factors that may aggravate and predispose for periodontal diseases such as; orthodontic and prosthetic appliances and parafunctional habits 3)smoking (A patient was classified as a current smoker if they smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day regularly for a minimum period of 5 years) 4) Individuals on systemic drug affecting metabolic bone diseases , Medications taken for the treatment of arthritis and psychotropic and epileptic disorders, as well as anticoagulants, antacids, bisphosphonates, , and antineoplastic drugs, can profoundly affect bone metabolism

Terms in these criteria, in plain language(2)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Postmenopausal

Periods have stopped for good: usually no period for 12 months in a row without another medical reason, sometimes confirmed by a blood test (FSH).

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

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Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
80 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • No intervention
    only scaling and root planning

    patients will complete thorough full-mouth scaling and root planning (SRP), including the upper and lower jaws. Under local anaesthesia, subgingival debridement will be achieved using periodontal Gracey curettes and an ultrasonic scaler

  • Active comparator
    local drug after scaling and root planning

    the group will go through the phase 1 therapy then will receive the local drug using a blunt cannula syringe (26 gauge), injecting 0.1 mL of the prepared drug gel into the periodontal pocket (one per patient). After delivery, the gel will become more viscous and occluded the pockets, thus eliminating the need for placing periodontal dressing. After LDD, patients will be instructed to avoid chewing on sticky/hard foodstuff or using toothbrush/interdental aids near the treated areas for 1 week. All patients will receive the same postoperative instructions, and no mouthwashes or antibiotics will be prescribed after treatment.

    Drug: Doxycycline and Atorvastatin loaded Chitosan nanoparticles local drug

Interventions

  • DrugDoxycycline and Atorvastatin loaded Chitosan nanoparticles local drug

    the group will receive the local drug using a blunt cannula syringe (26 gauge), injecting 0.1 mL of the prepared drug gel into the periodontal pocket (one per patient). After delivery, the gel will become more viscous and occluded the pockets, thus eliminating the need for placing periodontal dressing. After LDD, patients will be instructed to avoid chewing on sticky/hard foodstuff or using toothbrush/interdental aids near the treated areas for 1 week. All patients will receive the same postoperative instructions, and no mouthwashes or antibiotics will be prescribed after treatment.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Reduction in periodontal parameters

    Reduction in periodontal parameters including Probing pocket depth PPD (in mm), Clinical attachment level CAL (in mm)

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Reduction in bleeding on probing

    It is measured at multiple sites per tooth and expressed as a percentage: the number of bleeding sites divided by the total number of sites probed, multiplied by 100.

    Time frame: from enrollment to 6 months

  2. Reduction in gingival index

    It is measured by assessing redness, swelling, and bleeding, with a score of 0 being normal, 1 being mild inflammation, 2 for moderate inflammation, and 3 for severe inflammation.

    Time frame: from enrollment to 6 months

  3. Reduction in plaque index

    Scoring: Based on the amount of plaque, each tooth or specific tooth surfaces are given a score from 0 to 5. A common scoring system is as follows: * 0: No plaque * 1: A thin, continuous band of plaque (up to 1 mm) at the cervical margin * 2: Plaque is present in a band wider than 1 mm but covers less than one-third of the tooth's surface * 3: Plaque covers at least one-third but less than two-thirds of the tooth's surface * 4: Plaque covers two-thirds or more of the tooth's surface Calculating the index: The scores from individual teeth are then used to calculate an overall plaque index for the entire mouth.

    Time frame: from enrollment to 6 months

  4. Radiographic improvement :

    Pre apical radiograph by parallel technique will be done in the first visit and it will be retaken after 6 months with the same technique .then , the image will be subtracted digitally .

    Time frame: from enrollment to 6 months

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Fayoum
    Al Fayyum, Egypt
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Calvo P, Remunan-Lopez C, Vila-Jato JL, Alonso MJ. Chitosan and chitosan/ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer nanoparticles as novel carriers for proteins and vaccines. Pharm Res. 1997 Oct;14(10):1431-6. doi: 10.1023/a:1012128907225. PubMed 9358557 ↗
  • Goodman SB, Jiranek W, Petrow E, Yasko AW. The effects of medications on bone. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007 Aug;15(8):450-60. doi: 10.5435/00124635-200708000-00002. PubMed 17664365 ↗
  • Nicotine involved in periodontal disease through influence on cytokine profile in gingival crevicular fluid. Kamma, J. J., Giannopoulou, C., Vasdekis, V. G., & Mombelli, A. (2004). FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology, 52(2), 282-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.femspd.2004.03.008
  • Alfuriji S, Alhazmi N, Alhamlan N, Al-Ehaideb A, Alruwaithi M, Alkatheeri N, Geevarghese A. The effect of orthodontic therapy on periodontal health: a review of the literature. Int J Dent. 2014;2014:585048. doi: 10.1155/2014/585048. Epub 2014 May 29. PubMed 24991214 ↗
  • Albandar JM. Global risk factors and risk indicators for periodontal diseases. Periodontol 2000. 2002;29:177-206. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0757.2002.290109.x. No abstract available. PubMed 12102708 ↗
  • Ashokan DB, Shekar MK, Dharani K, Mani E, Pampani P, Ravichandran B. Clinical evaluation of photobiomodulation therapy and local 1.2% atorvastatin gel as an adjunct to subgingival instrumentation in patients with stage II periodontitis: a randomized controlled trial. Quintessence Int. 2025 Jul 21;56(7):514-527. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b6218534. PubMed 40377185 ↗
  • Tonetti MS, Greenwell H, Kornman KS. Staging and grading of periodontitis: Framework and proposal of a new classification and case definition. J Clin Periodontol. 2018 Jun;45 Suppl 20:S149-S161. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12945. PubMed 29926495 ↗
  • Yıldırım, Y., Kaya, S., & Demirci, T. (2023). Doxycycline- and atorvastatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles as a local drug delivery system for periodontitis therapy: In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activity and release profile. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 78, 104145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2023.104145
  • Madi, M., El-Din, S. A., & Elsaka, S. (2018). Evaluation of chitosan-doxycycline gel as a local drug delivery system in periodontal therapy. Journal of Periodontal Research, 53(5), 714-723. https://doi.org/10.1111/jre.12550
  • Özdoğan, A. I. (2018). Local delivery of atorvastatin with chitosan gels enhances anti-inflammatory effects and periodontal tissue healing in experimental periodontitis. Drug Delivery, 25(1), 1353-1362. https://doi.org/10.1080/10717544.2018.1507060
  • ) Rinaudo, M., Pavlov, G., & Desbrieres, J. (2006). Influence of the degree of deacetylation on some physico-chemical properties of chitosan films. Polymer, 47(25), 7201-7208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2006.09.027
  • Petit, C., Layrolle, P., & Guicheux, J. (2019). Local delivery of statins in periodontal therapy: Clinical outcomes and mechanisms of action. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 46(10), 1012-1024. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13190
  • Zeiser, R., Bonig, H., & Henschler, R. (2018). Immunomodulatory effects of statins. Frontiers in Immunology, 9, 2864. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02864
  • Zhou, H., & Xie, Y. (2017). The role of statins in bone metabolism and periodontal health: A review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 11, 2157-2167. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S136488
  • Goldstein JL, Brown MS. Regulation of the mevalonate pathway. Nature. 1990 Feb 1;343(6257):425-30. doi: 10.1038/343425a0. PubMed 1967820 ↗
  • Golub LM, Lee HM, Ryan ME, Giannobile WV, Payne J, Sorsa T. Tetracyclines inhibit connective tissue breakdown by multiple non-antimicrobial mechanisms. Adv Dent Res. 1998 Nov;12(2):12-26. doi: 10.1177/08959374980120010501. PubMed 9972117 ↗
  • ) Herrera, D., & Matesanz, P. (2020). Local antimicrobial therapy in periodontics: Current concepts and clinical applications. Periodontology 2000, 83(1), 224-238. https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12277
  • ) Greenstein, G., & Tonetti, M. S. (2000). Local delivery of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of periodontitis: Scientific evidence and clinical relevance. Journal of Periodontology, 71(12), 1935-1947. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2000.71.12.1935
  • Sanz M, Herrera D, Kebschull M, Chapple I, Jepsen S, Beglundh T, Sculean A, Tonetti MS; EFP Workshop Participants and Methodological Consultants. Treatment of stage I-III periodontitis-The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. J Clin Periodontol. 2020 Jul;47 Suppl 22(Suppl 22):4-60. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13290. PubMed 32383274 ↗
  • Majzoub J, Salami A, Barootchi S, Tavelli L, Chan HL, Wang HL. The effect of non-surgical and surgical mechanical root debridement on infrabony defects: a retrospective study. Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 6;11(1):19856. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99205-z. PubMed 34615954 ↗
  • Rodenburg JP, van Winkelhoff AJ, Winkel EG, Goene RJ, Abbas F, de Graff J. Occurrence of Bacteroides gingivalis, Bacteroides intermedius and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in severe periodontitis in relation to age and treatment history. J Clin Periodontol. 1990 Jul;17(6):392-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1990.tb00036.x. PubMed 2398137 ↗
  • Caffesse RG, Sweeney PL, Smith BA. Scaling and root planing with and without periodontal flap surgery. J Clin Periodontol. 1986 Mar;13(3):205-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1986.tb01461.x. PubMed 3517073 ↗
  • Newman, M. G., Takei, H., Klokkevold, P. R., & Carranza, F. A. (2019). Carranza's Clinical Periodontology (13th ed.). Elsevier.
  • ) Research, Science and Therapy Committee of the American Academy of Periodontology. (2001). Position paper: Periodontal maintenance. Journal of Periodontology, 72(11), 1624-1628. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2001.72.11.1624
  • Tonetti MS, Greenwell H, Kornman KS. Staging and grading of periodontitis: Framework and proposal of a new classification and case definition. J Periodontol. 2018 Jun;89 Suppl 1:S159-S172. doi: 10.1002/JPER.18-0006. PubMed 29926952 ↗
  • Bartold PM, Van Dyke TE. Periodontitis: a host-mediated disruption of microbial homeostasis. Unlearning learned concepts. Periodontol 2000. 2013 Jun;62(1):203-17. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0757.2012.00450.x. PubMed 23574467 ↗
  • Hajishengallis G, Darveau RP, Curtis MA. The keystone-pathogen hypothesis. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2012 Oct;10(10):717-25. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro2873. Epub 2012 Sep 3. PubMed 22941505 ↗
  • Fernandes, M. I. S., Gaetti-Jardim, E., & Avila-Campos, M. J. (2017). Dysbiotic microbial community in periodontitis. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 23(10), 840-846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2017.03.014

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Start is estimated for Jun 2026; primary completion for Jun 2027, 12 months later.

Of 21 phase 4 interventional studies under Chronic Periodontitis, half reached primary completion within 14 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 7 and three quarters within 24. This study's planned 12 months is below that.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jun 3, 2026
First posted
Jun 8, 2026
StartEst.
Jun 2026
Primary completionEst.
Jun 2027
CompletionEst.
Dec 2027
Last update
Jun 8, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jun 8, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07634341
Lead sponsor
Fayoum University
Responsible party
Amal Mohamed Ali Abelgwad (Amal Mohamed Ali Abdelgwad, Fayoum University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jun 8, 2026
Start date
Jun 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Jun 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Jun 8, 2026

Study contacts

Amal mohamed ali Abdelgwad, bachelor
Contact
am3250@fayoum.edu
201091369400

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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