title: In vitro activity of nonoxynol 9 on HeLa 229 cells and primary monkey cervical epithelial cells infected with Chlamydia trachomatis.
abstract: Nonoxynol 9 (non-9) is the active ingredient in a wide variety of vaginal contraceptive preparations. The manufacturer recommendation for optimal contraceptive practice is repeated application every 6 h. We studied the in vitro activity of non-9 against Chlamydia trachomatis (E/UW-5/Cx) and its toxicity against HeLa 229 cells and monkey cervical epithelial cells. With a contact time of 6 h, non-9 was toxic to HeLa cells at concentrations of 50 micrograms/ml or greater and to monkey cervical cells at 100 micrograms/ml or greater. Inhibitory effects of non-9 on extracellular chlamydiae were observed at concentrations of 50 micrograms/ml or greater. Inhibition of intracellular growth of chlamydiae in monkey cervical cells was observed at a nontoxic concentration of 50 micrograms/ml. Our studies show that non-9 has antichlamydial activity. However, owing to its toxicity to cervical cells in vitro, the effects of prolonged use of non-9 in vivo should be further studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008254:Macaca nemestrina; D017137:Nonoxynol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000633:toxicity*; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D017137:Nonoxynol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols