Open AccessCurcumin solid dispersion‐loaded in situ hydrogels for local treatment of injured vaginal bacterial infection and improvement of vaginal wound healing
Author(s) -
Zhang Mengmeng,
Zhuang Bo,
Du Gangjun,
Han Guang,
Jin Yiguang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 2042-7158
pISSN - 0022-3573
DOI - 10.1111/jphp.13088
Subject(s) - curcumin , self healing hydrogels , in vivo , pharmacology , wound healing , lidocaine , vagina , intravaginal administration , poloxamer , medicine , chemistry , surgery , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry , copolymer , polymer
Objectives Injured vaginal infection is detrimental to women. A curcumin hydrogel was studied for local treatment of injured vaginal infection. Methods Curcumin solid dispersions ( CSD s) were prepared from polyvinyl pyrrolidone and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and an X‐ray diffraction method. An in situ hydrogel CSD hydrogel ( CSDG ) was prepared with CSD /poloxamers and characterized. In vitro curcumin release and antibacterial effects of CSD s, CSDG s and curcumin were compared. The therapeutic effect of the CSDG s and Lincomycin/Lidocaine Gel was explored after intravaginal administration on the injured rat vaginal infection models. Key findings Curcumin was amorphous in CSD s where curcumin rapidly released in simulated vaginal fluids. However, CSDG s showed sustained release. CSDG s quickly formed gels in the vagina. CSDG s showed high in vivo anti‐ Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus effect though weak in vitro effect. The recovery of vaginal microenvironment and improvement of intravaginal Lactobacillus growth may be the major reason. Furthermore, CSDG s remarkably improved vaginal wound healing by alleviating inflammation and restoring vaginal epidermal tissues compared with the Lincomycin/Lidocaine Gel. Conclusion CSDG s are a promising topical formulation for local treatment of vaginal bacterial infection and improvement of vaginal wound healing.