Vaginal Sheets with <i>Thymbra capitata</i> Essential Oil for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: Design, Characterization and <i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety
We aimed to incorporate <i>Thymbra capitata</i> essential oil (TCEO), a potent antimicrobial natural product against bacterial vaginosis (BV)-related bacteria, in a suitable drug delivery system. We used vaginal sheets as dosage form to promote immediate relief of the typical abundant va...
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/4/293 |
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| author | Mariana Tomás Lúcia G. V. Sousa Ana Sofia Oliveira Carolina P. Gomes Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira Carlos Cavaleiro Lígia Salgueiro Nuno Cerca José Martinez-de-Oliveira Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira |
| author_facet | Mariana Tomás Lúcia G. V. Sousa Ana Sofia Oliveira Carolina P. Gomes Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira Carlos Cavaleiro Lígia Salgueiro Nuno Cerca José Martinez-de-Oliveira Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira |
| author_sort | Mariana Tomás |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We aimed to incorporate <i>Thymbra capitata</i> essential oil (TCEO), a potent antimicrobial natural product against bacterial vaginosis (BV)-related bacteria, in a suitable drug delivery system. We used vaginal sheets as dosage form to promote immediate relief of the typical abundant vaginal discharge with unpleasant odour. Excipients were selected to promote the healthy vaginal environment reestablishment and bioadhesion of formulations, while the TCEO acts directly on BV pathogens. We characterized vaginal sheets with TCEO in regard to technological characterization, predictable in vivo performance, in vitro efficacy and safety. Vaginal sheet D.O (acid lactic buffer, gelatine, glycerine, chitosan coated with TCEO 1% <i>w/w</i>) presented a higher buffer capacity and ability to absorb vaginal fluid simulant (VFS) among all vaginal sheets with EO, showing one of the most promising bioadhesive profiles, an excellent flexibility and structure that allow it to be easily rolled for application. Vaginal sheet D.O with 0.32 µL/mL TCEO was able to significantly reduce the bacterial load of all in vitro tested <i>Gardnerella</i> species. Although vaginal sheet D.O presented toxicity at some concentrations, this product was developed for a short time period of treatment, so this toxicity can probably be limited or even reversed when the treatment ends. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:59:37Z |
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| id | doaj.art-02a916757f414b59b746f99f741e667e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:59:37Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj.art-02a916757f414b59b746f99f741e667e2023-11-17T19:21:25ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612023-04-019429310.3390/gels9040293Vaginal Sheets with <i>Thymbra capitata</i> Essential Oil for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: Design, Characterization and <i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of Efficacy and SafetyMariana Tomás0Lúcia G. V. Sousa1Ana Sofia Oliveira2Carolina P. Gomes3Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira4Carlos Cavaleiro5Lígia Salgueiro6Nuno Cerca7José Martinez-de-Oliveira8Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira9CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, PortugalLaboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalCICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, PortugalCICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, PortugalCICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, PortugalCIEPQPF, Chemical Process Engineering and Forest Products Research Centre, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, PortugalCIEPQPF, Chemical Process Engineering and Forest Products Research Centre, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, PortugalLaboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalCICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, PortugalCICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, PortugalWe aimed to incorporate <i>Thymbra capitata</i> essential oil (TCEO), a potent antimicrobial natural product against bacterial vaginosis (BV)-related bacteria, in a suitable drug delivery system. We used vaginal sheets as dosage form to promote immediate relief of the typical abundant vaginal discharge with unpleasant odour. Excipients were selected to promote the healthy vaginal environment reestablishment and bioadhesion of formulations, while the TCEO acts directly on BV pathogens. We characterized vaginal sheets with TCEO in regard to technological characterization, predictable in vivo performance, in vitro efficacy and safety. Vaginal sheet D.O (acid lactic buffer, gelatine, glycerine, chitosan coated with TCEO 1% <i>w/w</i>) presented a higher buffer capacity and ability to absorb vaginal fluid simulant (VFS) among all vaginal sheets with EO, showing one of the most promising bioadhesive profiles, an excellent flexibility and structure that allow it to be easily rolled for application. Vaginal sheet D.O with 0.32 µL/mL TCEO was able to significantly reduce the bacterial load of all in vitro tested <i>Gardnerella</i> species. Although vaginal sheet D.O presented toxicity at some concentrations, this product was developed for a short time period of treatment, so this toxicity can probably be limited or even reversed when the treatment ends.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/4/293vaginal infectionsbacterial vaginosistreatmentvaginal sheet<i>Thymbra capitata</i> essential oil<i>Gardnerella</i> several species (spp.) |
| spellingShingle | Mariana Tomás Lúcia G. V. Sousa Ana Sofia Oliveira Carolina P. Gomes Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira Carlos Cavaleiro Lígia Salgueiro Nuno Cerca José Martinez-de-Oliveira Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira Vaginal Sheets with <i>Thymbra capitata</i> Essential Oil for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: Design, Characterization and <i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety Gels vaginal infections bacterial vaginosis treatment vaginal sheet <i>Thymbra capitata</i> essential oil <i>Gardnerella</i> several species (spp.) |
| title | Vaginal Sheets with <i>Thymbra capitata</i> Essential Oil for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: Design, Characterization and <i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety |
| title_full | Vaginal Sheets with <i>Thymbra capitata</i> Essential Oil for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: Design, Characterization and <i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety |
| title_fullStr | Vaginal Sheets with <i>Thymbra capitata</i> Essential Oil for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: Design, Characterization and <i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vaginal Sheets with <i>Thymbra capitata</i> Essential Oil for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: Design, Characterization and <i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety |
| title_short | Vaginal Sheets with <i>Thymbra capitata</i> Essential Oil for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: Design, Characterization and <i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety |
| title_sort | vaginal sheets with i thymbra capitata i essential oil for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis design characterization and i in vitro i evaluation of efficacy and safety |
| topic | vaginal infections bacterial vaginosis treatment vaginal sheet <i>Thymbra capitata</i> essential oil <i>Gardnerella</i> several species (spp.) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/4/293 |
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