Abstract
The review is focused on the hydrogel systems dedicated to the intravaginal delivery of antibacterial, antifungal and anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity drugs for the treatment of gynaecological infections. The strategies for the enhancement of the hydrophobic drug solubility in the hydrogel matrix based on the formation of bigel systems and the introduction of nano- and microparticles as a drug reservoir are presented. Hydrogel carriers of natural and synthetic pharmacological substances, drug-free systems displaying antimicrobial activity thanks to the hydrogel building elements and systems combining the antimicrobial activity of both drug and polymer building components are distinguished. The design of hydrogels facilitating their administration and proper distribution in the vaginal mucosa and the vagina based on thermoresponsive systems capable of gelling at vaginal conditions and already-cross-linked injectable systems after reaching the yield stress are discussed. In addition, the mechanisms of hydrogel bioadhesion that regulate the retention time in the vagina are indicated. Finally, the prospects for the further development of hydrogel-based drug carriers in gynaecological therapies are highlighted.
Highlights
Vulvovaginitis is one of the most frequent gynecological diseases [1,2]
Vulvovaginal infections are most commonly caused by vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomonal vaginitis, and bacterial vaginosis [3]
We present the strategies for the construction of hydrogels suitable for gynaecological drug delivery systems with the usage of different polymer systems
Summary
Vulvovaginitis is one of the most frequent gynecological diseases [1,2]. Vulvovaginal infections are most commonly caused by vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomonal vaginitis, and bacterial vaginosis [3]. The most suitable hydrogel system for gynaecological treatment, should exhibit the property of shape-conforming This would facilitate the continuous coverage of the afflicted area and would prolong the retention time of the pharmacological formulation in the vaginal mucosa. Dynamic hydrogel systems constructed on adaptable linkages, i.e., reversible covalent or supramolecular bonds, which are broken and reformed in a reversible manner without the usage of external triggers, exhibit desirable rheological properties that ensure hydrogels’ injectability and their ability to form a continuous film on the infected site Another important issue regarding hydrogel systems as gynaecological drug carriers is the discrepancy in the hydrophilicity of hydrogels and drugs commonly used in gynaecological treatment. Upon heating from 20 to 37 ◦ C, both G’ and G” increased within 1 min, and these moduli did not change within the frequency range of 10 to
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