Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop pluronic-based in situ gelling formulations of metronidazole (MTZ) for treatment of bacterial vaginosis, aimed at prolonging the residence time, controlling drug release, enhancing efficacy, decreasing recurrence, and increasing patient compliance. The in situ gel formulations were prepared using different concentrations of pluronic F-127 (PF-127) alone and in combination with pluronic F-68 (PF-68). The prepared formulations were evaluated for their gelation temperature (T(gel)), in vitro drug release, rheological properties, mucoadhesion properties and tolerability by vaginal mucosa in tissue levels. The T(gel) decreased with increasing PF-127 concentration. The T(gel) was modulated by addition of PF-68 to be within the acceptable range of 25-37 °C. With increasing pluronic concentration, the in vitro drug release decreased, viscosity and mucoadhesive force increased. Histopathological examination of rabbit vaginas from the control and treated groups revealed normal histology of the vagina and cervix. Based on the in vitro evaluation of prepared formulations, the in situ gelling liquid formulated with PF-127/PF-68 (20/10 %, m/m) was selected for further clinical evaluation.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Ibrahim el-SA, Ismail S, Fetih G, Shaaban O, Hassanein K, Abdellah NH

Institution

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Egypt.

Source

Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia) 62:1 2012 Mar 1 pg 59-70

MeSH

Adhesiveness
Administration, Intravaginal
Animals
Anti-Infective Agents
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
Delayed-Action Preparations
Drug Carriers
Drug Compounding
Female
Gels
Kinetics
Metronidazole
Mucous Membrane
Poloxamer
Rabbits
Rheology
Solubility
Technology, Pharmaceutical
Temperature
Vaginosis, Bacterial
Viscosity

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22472449