title: Mucoadhesive and thermogelling systems for vaginal drug delivery.
abstract: This review focuses on two formulation approaches, mucoadhesion and thermogelling, intended for prolonging residence time on vaginal mucosa of medical devices or drug delivery systems, thus improving their efficacy. The review, after a brief description of the vaginal environment and, in particular, of the vaginal secretions that strongly affect in vivo performance of vaginal formulations, deals with the above delivery systems. As for mucoadhesive systems, conventional formulations (gels, tablets, suppositories and emulsions) and novel drug delivery systems (micro-, nano-particles) intended for vaginal administration to achieve either local or systemic effect are reviewed. As for thermogelling systems, poly(ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide) copolymer-based and chitosan-based formulations are discussed as thermogelling systems. The methods employed for functional characterization of both mucoadhesive and thermogelling drug delivery systems are also briefly described.
authors: Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy. Electronic address: carla.caramella@unipv.it.
authors: Carla M
authors: CM
authors: Caramella
authors: Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Rossi
authors: Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors: Franca
authors: F
authors: Ferrari
authors: Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors: Maria Cristina
authors: MC
authors: Bonferoni
authors: Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Sandri
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D053758:Nanoparticles; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry; D013488:Suppositories / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology; D066228:Vaginal Absorption; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D013488:Suppositories; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D020442:Poloxamer; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: In situ gel forming systems; Methods for mucoadhesion testing; Methods for thermogelling testing; Mucoadhesive formulations; Vaginal mucosa; Vaginal secretions