title: Formulation and evaluation of anise-based bioadhesive vaginal gels.
abstract: Various formulations of anise-based bioadhesive gels are prepared. Freeze-drying method was successfully employed and superporous scaffolds were obtained. The resulting porous microarchitectures are strongly influenced by the composition of hydrogel formulations and temperature of freezing. Anise-based hydrogels frozen in liquid nitrogen and lyophilized generate regular assembly of polyhedral pores. For Carbopol 934-based hydrogels it was determined G'>G'' for whole tested strain amplitude range indicating solid-like behaviour due to their dense network and entanglement and interaction through hydrogen bonds and van-der Waals forces. For sodium alginate-based hydrogels it was determined G''>G' for whole tested strain amplitude range accompanied by the extended linear viscoelastic region indicating liquid-like behaviour due to the formation of a stable "pseudo-gel" structure. Biocompatibility features of tested hydrogels were evaluated by contact angle measurements and determination of surface tension parameters. It was found that all anise-based hydrogel formulations manifest modest activity against S. aureus and S. lutea and no activity against tested Gram negative bacteria. Carbopol 934-based hydrogels containing anise exhibit antifungal activity against C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. Parapsilosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Gr. T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universităţii Street, 700115 Iaşi, Romania.
authors.forename: Carmen A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gafiţanu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Polyaddition and Photochemistry, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Vodă 41 A, 700487 Iaşi, Romania.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Filip
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic, Biochemical and Food Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Mangeron Avenue 73, 700050 Iaşi, Romania.
authors.forename: Corina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cernătescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Mangeron Avenue 73, 700050 Iaşi, Romania; Center of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Vodă 41 A, 700487 Iaşi, Romania.
authors.forename: Constanţa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ibănescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Mangeron Avenue 73, 700050 Iaşi, Romania; Center of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Vodă 41 A, 700487 Iaşi, Romania.
authors.forename: Maricel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Danu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Polymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Vodă 41 A, 700487 Iaşi, Romania.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pâslaru
authors.affiliation: Polymer Materials Physics, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Vodă 41 A, 700487 Iaşi, Romania.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rusu
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, "Gr. T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universităţii Street, 700115 Iaşi, Romania.
authors.forename: Cristina G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Tuchiluş
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Polyaddition and Photochemistry, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Vodă 41 A, 700487 Iaşi, Romania. Electronic address: eradro2002@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Doina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Macocinschi
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D005612:Freeze Drying; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D028042:Pimpinella / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology / Q000187:drug effects; D013500:Surface Tension / Q000187:drug effects; D013816:Thermodynamics; D013997:Time Factors; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies
keywords: Anise; Antimicrobial activity; Bioadhesive vaginal gels; Rheology; Surface morphology