Long lasting mucoadhesive membrane based on alginate and chitosan for intravaginal drug delivery

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2020 Feb 14;31(3):25. doi: 10.1007/s10856-020-6359-y.

Abstract

The intravaginal route of administration can be exploited to treat local diseases and for systemic delivery. In this work, we developed an alginate/chitosan membrane sufficiently stable in a simulated vaginal fluid and able to dissolve over time at a very slow and linear rate. The membrane demonstrated good mechanical properties both in its swollen and dry form. As a study case, we evaluated the viability of this potential drug delivery system for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, a common disease affecting women in their reproductive age. Metronidazole was effectively included in the alginate/chitosan membrane and its bactericide effect was demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus and Gardnerella vaginalis, simultaneously showing good biocompatibility with a cervix epithelial cell line. Since this alginate/chitosan membrane is stable in a simulated vaginal environment, is easy to fabricate and can be used for the controlled release of a model drug, it represents a promising drug delivery system for local intravaginal applications.

MeSH terms

  • Adhesiveness
  • Administration, Intravaginal*
  • Alginates / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Cervix Uteri / drug effects
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Compressive Strength
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Female
  • Gardnerella vaginalis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Kinetics
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Metronidazole / administration & dosage*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Vagina / drug effects
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Hydrogels
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Metronidazole
  • Chitosan