Acta Pharm. 64 (2014) 139-156

 

full paper

Original research paper

 

Evaluation of chitosan based vaginal bioadhesive gel formulations for antifungal drugs

ZEYNEP AY ªENYIĞIT, SINEM YAPRAK KARAVANA, BAYRI ERAÇ, ÖZGE GÜRSEL, MINE HOªGÖR LIMONCU and ESRA BALOĞLU

zeynepay79@hotmail.com

1 Ege University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, 35100, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey

2 Ege University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology, 35100, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey

Accepted December 19, 2013

 

The aim of the present study was to evaluate chitosan as a vaginal mucoadhesive gel base for econazole nitrate and miconazole nitrate. For this aim, different types of chitosan with different molecular massess and viscosity properties [low molecular mass chitosan (viscosity: 20.000 mPa s), medium molecular mass chitosan (viscosity: 200.000 mPa s), high molecular mass chitosan (viscosity: 800.000 mPa s)] have been used. Firstl, rheological studies were conducted on chitosan gels. Mechanical, syringeability and mucoadhesive properties of the chitosan gels were determined. The release profiles of econazole nitrate and miconazole nitrate from chitosan gels were obtained and evaluated kinetically. In addition, anticandidal activities of formulations were determined. Finally, vaginal retention of chitosan gels in rats was evaluated with in vivo distribution studies. Based on the results, it can be concluded that gels prepared with medium molecular mass chitosan might be effectively used for different antifungal agents for the treatment of vaginal candidiosis as it has high mucoadhesiveness, suitable mechanical and release properties with good retention in vagina.

 

Keywords: chitosan, vaginal gel, mucoadhesion, econazole nitrate, miconazole nitrate, vaginal retention