Rapid-dissolving electrospun nanofibers for intra-vaginal antibiotic or probiotic delivery

The emergence of probiotics as an alternative and adjunct to antibiotic treatment for microbiological disturbances of the female genitourinary system requires innovative delivery platforms for vaginal applications. This study developed a new, rapid-dissolving form using electrospun polyethylene oxide (PEO) fibers for delivery of antibiotic metronidazole or probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus, and performed evaluation in vitro and in vivo. Fibers did not generate overt pathophysiology or encourage Gardnerella growth in a mouse vaginal colonization model, inducing no alterations in vaginal mucosa at 24 hr post-administration. PEO-fibers incorporating metronidazole (100 mu g MET/mg polymer) effectively prevented and treated Gardnerella infections (-3- and 2.5-log reduction, respectively, 24 hr post treatment) when administered vaginally. Incorporation of live Lactobacillus acidophilus (10(7) CFU/mL) demonstrated viable probiotic delivery in vitro by PEO and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers to inhibit Gardnerella (10(8) CFU/mL) in bacterial co-cultures (9.9- and 7.0-log reduction, respectively, 24 hr post-inoculation), and in the presence of vaginal epithelial cells (6.9- and 8.0-log reduction, respectively, 16 hr post-inoculation). Administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus in PEO-fibers achieved vaginal colonization in mice similar to colonization observed with free Lactobacillus. acidophilus. These experiments provide proof-of-concept for rapid-dissolving electrospun fibers as a successful platform for intra-vaginal antibiotic or probiotic delivery.

Automated summary

This study developed a rapid-dissolving electrospun polyethylene oxide (PEO) fibers for the delivery of antibiotic metronidazole or probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus. The fibers effectively prevented and treated Gardnerella infections and inhibited the growth of bacterial co-cultures and vaginal epithelial cells. The study demonstrated the successful platform for intra-vaginal antibiotic or probiotic delivery using rapid-dissolving electrospun fibers.