Use of mandelic acid condensation polymer (SAMMA), a new antimicrobial contraceptive agent, for vaginal prophylaxis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the contraceptive properties, antimicrobial activity, and safety of mandelic acid condensation polymer (SAMMA).


METHODS
Experimental study of SAMMA's in vitro and in vivo properties.


METHODS
Academic research laboratories.


METHODS
Healthy volunteers for semen donation in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Inhibition of sperm function indicators, conception, sexually transmitted infection-causing pathogens (including HIV), and lactobacilli was evaluated. Safety indicators were studied.


METHODS
Quantitation of SAMMA's effect on microbial infectivity or multiplication and on sperm function in vitro; evaluation of contraceptive efficacy in vivo; assessment of safety in vitro and in vivo.


RESULTS
Mandelic acid condensation polymer is not cytotoxic toward lactobacilli, microbial host cells, and spermatozoa. The compound inhibits hyaluronidase and acrosin, induces sperm acrosomal loss, and is contraceptive in the rabbit model. Mandelic acid condensation polymer prevents infectivity of HIV and herpesviruses 1 and 2 and, to a lesser extent, of Chlamydia trachomatis. It inhibits the multiplication of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mandelic acid condensation polymer is not mutagenic, has low acute oral toxicity, and is safe in the rabbit vaginal irritation assay.


CONCLUSIONS
Mandelic acid condensation polymer inhibits sperm function, is contraceptive, has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and is highly safe. Further development as a microbicide is warranted.
Zaneveld
Lourens J D
LJ
Program for the Topical Prevention of Conception and Disease (TOPCAD), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush University, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. lzanevel@rush.edu
Anderson
Robert A
RA
Diao
Xiao Hui
XH
Waller
Donald P
DP
Chany
Calvin
C
Feathergill
Kenneth
K
Doncel
Gustavo
G
Cooper
Morris D
MD
Herold
Betsy
B
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008333:Mandelic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012449:Safety; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D008333:Mandelic Acids; D011108:Polymers; C468727:SAMMA