title: Development and in vitro evaluation of an acid buffering bioadhesive vaginal gel for mixed vaginal infections.
abstract: An acid buffering bioadhesive vaginal (ABBV) gel was developed for the treatment of mixed vaginal infections. Different bioadhesive polymers were evaluated on the basis of their bioadhesive strength, stability and drug release properties. Bioadhesion and release studies showed that guar gum, xanthan gum and hydroxypropyl methylcelullose K4M formed a good combination of bioadhesive polymers to develop the ABBV gel. Monosodium citrate was used as an acid buffering agent to provide acidic pH (4.4). The drugs clotrimazole (antifungal) and metronidazole (antiprotozoal as well as antibacterial) were used in the formulation along with Lactobacillus spores to treat mixed vaginal infections. The ex vivo retention study showed that the bioadhesive polymers hold the gel for 12-13 hours inside the vaginal tube. Results of the in vitro antimicrobial study indicated that the ABBV gel had better antimicrobial action than the commercial intravaginal drug delivery systems and retention was prolonged in an ex vivo retention experiment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Hamdard University, New Delhi-110062, India.
authors.forename: Farhan Jalees
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Mohd Aftab
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Zeenat Iqbal
authors.initials: ZI
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Roop Krishen
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Khar
authors.forename: Mushir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ali
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012995:Solubility; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies