Expanded safety study of Praneem polyherbal vaginal tablet among HIV-uninfected women in Pune, India: a phase II clinical trial report.
BACKGROUND
Praneem, a candidate vaginal microbicide with reported anti-HIV and contraceptive properties was evaluated for its long-term safety through a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised phase II trial.


METHODS
142 women were screened and 100 HIV-uninfected, eligible women were enrolled, after obtaining written informed consents. Of these, 50 were randomly assigned to the study product arm and 50 to the placebo arm. Participants were requested to use the study product at least half an hour before each sexual act for 6 months.


RESULTS
Participants in both treatment groups contributed 601 person-months of follow-up and 95% of the participants completed the last follow-up. Although transient genital discomfort was the main reported adverse experience, none of the study participants discontinued product use. Most of the adverse events were mild and there were no serious adverse events related to study product use and no HIV seroconversions.


CONCLUSIONS
Praneem polyherbal tablet was safe for vaginal use up to 6 months with each act of sex among low-risk women. In light of the failure of Nonoxynol-9, cellulose sulphate and Carraguard in preventing HIV infections among women, additional preclinical evaluations should be undertaken urgently before moving into effectiveness studies.
Joshi
S N
SN
National AIDS Research Institute, G-73, MIDC, Post Box 1895, Bhosari, Pune 411026, India. sjoshi@nariindia.org
Dutta
S
S
Kumar
B K
BK
Katti
U
U
Kulkarni
S
S
Risbud
A
A
Mehendale
S
S
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011803:Quinine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C086286:Praneem; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D011803:Quinine