Vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus acidophilus: development and characterization

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Francisca Rodrigues (Author) Other; Maria Joao Maia (Author) Other; Jose das Neves (Author) Other; Bruno Sarmento (Author) Other; Maria Helena Amaral (Author) Other; Maria Beatriz P P Oliveira (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy

Vol. 41

Pages: 1518-1525

ISSN: 0363-9045

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-S1Z

DOI: 10.3109/03639045.2014.963864

Abstract (EN): Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and characterize suppositories for vaginal delivery of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Methods: Formulations were performed in order to select suitable excipients based on suppository formation feasibility and cytotoxicity. Solid body and hollow-type suppositories were prepared by melting and molding using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) 400 and 4000 or Witepsol (WIT) H12 as excipients. L. acidophilus was incorporated in the molten mass before molding solid body suppositories or added as suspension into the cavity of hollow-type suppositories and sealed molten excipients. Cytotoxicity of the selected excipients was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-5-(3-carboxymethoxypheny1)-2-(4-sulfopheny1)-2Htetrazolium and lactate dehydrogenase assays against VK2/E6E7, HEC-1-A and HeLa cells. Suppositories were characterized regarding organoleptic characteristics, mass uniformity, disintegration, breaking strength and L. acidophilus in vitro release. Results: PEG 400, PEG 4000 and WIT H12 showed the absence of toxicity when tested using three different vaginal cell lines. Obtained vaginal suppositories presented uniform and mild texture, a content of about 1 x 108 colony-forming units, completely disintegrated in simulated vaginal environment in less than 60 min and provided sustained in vitro release of L. acidophilus. Release studies further demonstrated that incorporation of freeze-dried bacteria did not result in significant loss of viable bacteria, thus supporting that vaginal suppositories may possess good properties to promote the replacement of the vaginal flora in situations of urinary tract infection. Conclusion: Hollow-type suppositories showed to be promising delivery vehicles for vaginal delivery of probiotics.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8