Development of a xanthan gum film for the possible treatment of vaginal infections.

Analizet Villar-Padilla,Manuel González-Del Carmen,Hernán Cortés,David M Giraldo-Gomez,Gerardo Leyva-Gómez,Javad Sharifi-Rad,Gabriela Figueroa-González,Marí­A Luisa Del Prado-Audelo,Isaac H Caballero-Florán,Octavio D Reyes-Hernández,Maykel González-Torres

doi:10.14715/cmb/2021.67.1.12

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection that affects 60% of women of reproductive age worldwide. It is mainly caused by the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis and is a factor that increases the probability of getting sexually transmitted diseases. We aimed to develop a new pharmaceutical form for the treatment of vaginal infections. We employed the solving-casting method to fabricate a polymeric film with Xanthan gum, a natural polymer produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, and metronidazole, one of the most commonly used drugs for vaginal infections. In order to characterize the film, we measured pH, dose uniformity, dissolution profile, and the percentage of swelling. Moreover, we performed a thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated a pH suitable for vaginal application and uniform distribution of the drug in the film. Also, the formulation exhibited a high percentage of swelling and a slow release of the drug in a simulated vaginal fluid medium. All these attributes indicated that the manufactured film has ideal characteristics to be used and administered vaginally. It could be an excellent alternative to treat bacterial vaginosis and also improve user adherence.

Highlights

The vagina is a membranous muscular tube that extends from the cervix to the vestibule of the vulva
We employed the solving-casting method to fabricate a polymeric film with Xanthan gum, a natural polymer produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, and metronidazole, one of the most commonly used drugs for vaginal infections
bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by an increase in whitish or yellowish vaginal fluid and a characteristic odor that usually intensifies after intercourse

Summary

Introduction

The vagina is a membranous muscular tube that extends from the cervix to the vestibule of the vulva. Our results indicated that the films have a homogeneous distribution of the drug, surface free of pores with the presence of MTZ crystals, a high percentage of swelling, and a prolonged release of the drug This vaginal film could be a new alternative for the treatment against BV. The film was allowed to cool and cure for 24 h, transferred to a plastic Petri dish or Teflon molds and dried in an oven at 70 °C for 12 h (OAKTON Stable Temp Oven, Illinois, USA) These conditions were established after optimization to slowly evaporate the solvent and obtain a thin and uniform polymeric film with the minimum amount of bubbles or pores possible (XG-MTZ film).

Materials and Methods

Results

Result

Findings