Carrageenan-Based Acyclovir Mucoadhesive Vaginal Tablets for Prevention of Genital Herpes

Abstract

Women are the most affected by genital herpes, which is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, affecting more than 400 million people worldwide. The application of vaginal microbicides could provide a safe method of protection. Acyclovir is a safe and effective medication for vaginal administration, and numerous benefits have been observed in the treatment of primary or recurrent lesions due to genital herpes. Vaginal tablets based on a combination of the polymers iota-carrageenan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose were developed for the controlled release of acyclovir. Swelling, mucoadhesion and drug release studies were carried out in simulated vaginal fluid. The tablets, containing a combination of iota-carrageenan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, have an adequate uptake of the medium that allows them to develop the precise consistency and volume of gel for the controlled release of acyclovir. Its high mucoadhesive capacity also allows the formulation to remain in the vaginal area long enough to ensure the complete release of acyclovir. These promising formulations for the prevention of genital herpes deserve further evaluation.

Carrageenan: Drug Delivery Systems and Other Biomedical Applications

“…Hence, the biomedical importance of CG as bioactive components that make it possible to improve pharmaceutical formulations and in certain cases be adjuncts to other active principles. The biological and chemical properties of CG are the main reasons they are used in drug delivery systems [ 40 , 106 ].…”

“…The major applications in the field of biomedicine are shown as a schematic layout in Figure 6 . CGs are applied in various pharmaceutical formulations, including tablets [ 106 , 108 ], suppositories [ 109 , 110 ], films [ 111 ], fast-dissolving inserts (FDIs) [ 63 ], beads [ 112 , 113 ], pellets [ 114 , 115 , 116 ], microparticles [ 117 , 118 , 119 ], nanoparticles [ 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 ], inhalable systems, injectables [ 126 ], and hydrogels [ 127 , 128 , 129 ]. In addition, recent studies have shown that CGs are promising candidates in tissue engineering, thanks to their similarity to native glycosaminoglycans [ 127 , 128 , 130 , 131 ].…”

“…In a more recent study, vaginal tablets based on iota -CG and HPMC were developed and evaluated. The combination of iota -CG and HPMC achieved the controlled release of acyclovir in 96 h. These vaginal tablets were indicated for helping prevent the sexual transmission of genital herpes, as the microstructure formed by the polymer mixture has an adequate swelling rate and high mucoadhesive capacity, which allows the formulation to remain in the vaginal area long enough to ensure the complete release of the acyclovir ( Figure 7 ) [ 106 ].…”

“… Carrageenan as a biomaterial for biomedical applications and in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering [ 22 , 106 , 108 , 112 , 121 , 126 , 132 ]. …”

“… Swelling behavior of vaginal tablets based on iota -CG and HPMC over time. The combination of polymers produces an adequate uptake of the medium that allows them to develop the precise consistency and volume of gel for the controlled release of acyclovir [ 106 ]. …”