Vaginal gel adsorption and retention by human vaginal cells: visual analysis by means of inorganic and organic markers

Int J Pharm. 2009 May 21;373(1-2):10-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2009.01.021. Epub 2009 Feb 4.

Abstract

To improve efficiency and prolong protection, modern gynecological preparations frequently incorporate polymeric molecules that add a certain degree of viscosity in order to increase adhesion with vaginal cells and prolong local delivery of active molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of visualising the ability of a commercial medicated gynecological gel to bind to and be retained by human vaginal cells. The gel formulation included the essential oils of Thymus vulgaris and Eugenia cariophylla, which contain active molecules such as thymol and eugenol that are known to have useful antibacterial and antimycotic activities. The adherence of different dilutions of the gel to human vaginal cells was visualised by means of Nomarski interference contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy using ferric oxide particles and Escherichia coli as inorganic and organic markers, both of which made it possible to visualise the binding of the thin transparent layer of gel and the retaining effect, which was proportional to the degree of dilution.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Adult
  • Bacterial Adhesion / drug effects
  • Elasticity
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli / cytology
  • Female
  • Ferric Compounds / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Middle Aged
  • Rheology
  • Vagina / cytology*
  • Vagina / metabolism*
  • Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / analysis*
  • Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / chemistry
  • Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / pharmacokinetics*
  • Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / pharmacology
  • Viscosity
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies
  • ferric oxide