Topical Probiotics for Women’s Urogenital Health: Selection of an Oil-based Carrier

Abstract

Vaginal care products are widely used by women to relieve discomfort such as pain, itching and malodour, all of which are commonly caused by conditions resulting from microbiota dysbiosis. Previous studies showed that probiotic strains Lacticaseibacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) rhamnosus GR-1 (LGR-1) and Limosilactobacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) reuteri RC-14 (LRC-14), can aid in restoring homeostasis in the vaginal microbiome when taken orally. A topical product containing these strains could be of value for reducing malodour and improving quality of life. However, the formulation of such a product is a challenge, given that its ingredients must maintain shelf-life viability by excluding moisture. Here, we tested petroleum jelly, mineral oil, coconut oil, and olive oil for how well they maintained the viability of freeze-dried probiotic strains over a six-month timeframe. None of the oils caused excessive loss of bacterial viability, with petroleum jelly and coconut oil showing the most promise. Based on existing knowledge of these oils on the female genitalia, coconut oil and petroleum jelly could be suitable probiotic carriers for clinical testing.

Perspective: microbial interventions in the urinary tract

“…Or select strains to allow for variability in the recipient hosts, with one probiotic strain being beneficial in some women, another being more receptive in other women? [33] There have been no reports to suggest that hosts have different receptivity to different lactobacilli; however, it would be interesting to investigate whether gene conversion of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules (CEACAMs) on urogenital cell surfaces might play a role in which strains can colonize [34] .…”