Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche ''Togo Rosati''

Authors    Cirri M, Maestrelli F, Scuota S, Bazzucchi V, Mura P

Abstract   Metronidazole is the drug of choice in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, but the oral therapy can induce several collateral effects. Aim of this work was the development of a vaginal multiparticulate system, loaded with metronidazole, able to improve its residence time allowing a complete drug release. Several kinds of MS were prepared using chitosan dissolved in different organic acids or alginate coated with chitosan. FTIR and DSC analyses were performed to study the interactions between the drug and the polymers, while MS morphology was investigated with optical and electron microscopy. All the formulations were characterized in terms of drug entrapment efficiency, mucoadhesion, swelling capacity and drug release behaviour, demonstrating the best results for alginate MS coated with chitosan. The formulations evidenced a complete and rapid release of drug, compared with the commercial form: Zidoval®.The best formulations assayed for antibacterial activity confirmed the suitability of this new formulation for the vaginal treatment of local diseases.

Publish Date 2021

Volume    598

ISSN        1873-3476

DOI          doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120375

URL          https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517321001794?via%3Dihub

Journal    International Journal of Pharmaceutics

Pages      art. n. 120375

PMID       33581271