Promising Drug Delivery Approaches to Treat Microbial Infections in the Vagina: A Recent Update

Abstract

An optimal host–microbiota interaction in the human vagina governs the reproductive health status of a woman. The marked depletion in the beneficial Lactobacillus sp. increases the risk of infection with sexually transmitted pathogens, resulting in gynaecological issues. Vaginal infections that are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially among women of reproductive age, require an effective concentration of antimicrobial drugs at the infectious sites for complete disease eradication. Thus, topical treatment is recommended as it allows direct therapeutic action, reduced drug doses and side effects, and self-insertion. However, the alterations in the physiological conditions of the vagina affect the effectiveness of vaginal drug delivery considerably. Conventional vaginal dosage forms are often linked to low retention time in the vagina and discomfort which significantly reduces patient compliance. The lack of optimal prevention and treatment approaches have contributed to the unacceptably high rate of recurrence for vaginal diseases. To combat these limitations, several novel approaches including nano-systems, mucoadhesive polymeric systems, and stimuli-responsive systems have been developed in recent years. This review discusses and summarises the recent research progress of these novel approaches for vaginal drug delivery against various vaginal diseases. An overview of the concept and challenges of vaginal infections, anatomy and physiology of the vagina, and barriers to vaginal drug delivery are also addressed.

New Formulations Loading Caspofungin for Topical Therapy of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

“…Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a health problem that affects approximately 70–75% of women worldwide at least once during their lifetime [ 1 , 2 ]. It has been estimated that about 50% of women will suffer VVC again and 8% will develop chronic VVC [ 3 ].…”

The Role of Biopolymer-Based Materials in Obstetrics and Gynecology Applications: A Review

“…Women of reproductive age are increasingly prevalent in terms of vaginal microbial infections. Several novel approaches have been used to fabricate biopolymer-based materials, including nano-systems, vaginal films, mucoadhesive polymeric systems, nanofibers, and smart stimuli-responsive systems [133,134]. Biopolymers-based materials have been used to combat the limitation of conventional synthetic polymeric products, such as low retention time, discomfort, lack of optimal prevention, and treatment approaches that led to a high recurrence rate for vaginal diseases [135].…”

Advances in the Application of Nanomaterials as Treatments for Bacterial Infectious Diseases

“…The incidence of reproductive system infections (sexually transmitted disease), especially vaginal infections, has recently increased, especially among women of reproductive age, and requires an effective concentration of topical antimicrobial treatment for its direct therapeutic action, reduced drug doses and side effects, and self-insertion [149]. However, alterations in the physiological conditions of the vagina significantly alter the effectiveness of vaginally delivered drugs [149]. Consequently, nanomedicine has been applied with topical antimicrobial agents to increase the retention time in the vagina and decrease discomfort [149].…”

“…However, alterations in the physiological conditions of the vagina significantly alter the effectiveness of vaginally delivered drugs [149]. Consequently, nanomedicine has been applied with topical antimicrobial agents to increase the retention time in the vagina and decrease discomfort [149].…”