Studies on dressings for mucosa of oral cavity. Part 1: Influence of hydrophilizing substances on xerogel properties of dressings comprising Kunitz protease inhibitor.

2% methylcellulose gel solutions containing Kunitz protease inhibitor and increasing concentrations of glycerol or 1,2-propylene glycol were spread on semipermeable membrane. After evaporation of water from the gel solutions, dressings consisting of 1 or 2 mg of methylcellulose have been prepared. In these dressings, the ratio of hydrophilizing agent to methylcellulose ranged from 0.5:1 to 8:1. The thickness of the dressings is proportional to methylcellulose and hydrophilizing substance concentration/cm2 surface area. Water diffusion rates fo the dressings are similar and concentrations of hydrophilizing agent per surface unit area have not significant influence on the process. Kunitz protease inhibitor is liberated in two stages and follows first order reaction kinetics in dependence upon the hydrophilizing agent used. With the dressings, containing 100 micrograms inhibitor/cm2, peridontosis was treated within 2 weeks without any irritating effects on gingival mucosa.