Vaginal Capsules: A Viable Alternative for the Delivery of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp.
<i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. and other beneficial bacteria are predominant in the vaginal microbiota and represent an opportunity to correct dysbiosis if administered intravaginally. Since no commercial formulations are available, developing magistral formulations is an option, provided tha...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Leandra Sá de Lima Lívia Custódio Pereira Rosane Mansan Almeida Yanna Karla de Medeiros Nóbrega |
| author_facet | Leandra Sá de Lima Lívia Custódio Pereira Rosane Mansan Almeida Yanna Karla de Medeiros Nóbrega |
| author_sort | Leandra Sá de Lima |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. and other beneficial bacteria are predominant in the vaginal microbiota and represent an opportunity to correct dysbiosis if administered intravaginally. Since no commercial formulations are available, developing magistral formulations is an option, provided that they ensure viability and therapeutic efficacy. To evaluate their stability and culturability, four magistral formulations containing 10<sup>9</sup> microorganisms were tested: vaginal capsules, vaginal ointment, gelatinous ovules, and waxy ovules. Certified strains of <i>L. crispatus</i>, <i>L. johnsonii</i>, <i>L. gasseri</i>, <i>Limosilactobacillus reuteri</i>, and <i>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus</i>, as well as a combination of the five, were used. The formulations were tested for pharmaco-technical stability using average weight and disintegration tests, as well as evaluation organoleptic. In addition, microbial recovery was evaluated by counting Colony-Forming Units (CFUs). All forms, except the gelatinous ovules, allowed microbial recovery at concentrations from 10<sup>7</sup> to 10<sup>9</sup> CFUs, ensuring stability for 60 days. The recovery varied depending on the strains and dosage forms employed, with the most favorable outcomes for vaginal capsules. This highlights the need for standardized strains and excipients in magistral formulations. Further studies are needed to evaluate the viability of other strains of different excipients, vehicles, or different storage; however, capsules have demonstrated efficacy and are an excellent candidate for vaginal use formulations of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cb07eb24633549c4a5e080904a74edc1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb07eb24633549c4a5e080904a74edc12025-08-20T03:47:58ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-05-01135105610.3390/microorganisms13051056Vaginal Capsules: A Viable Alternative for the Delivery of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp.Leandra Sá de Lima0Lívia Custódio Pereira1Rosane Mansan Almeida2Yanna Karla de Medeiros Nóbrega3Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, BrazilClinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, BrazilClinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, BrazilClinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil<i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. and other beneficial bacteria are predominant in the vaginal microbiota and represent an opportunity to correct dysbiosis if administered intravaginally. Since no commercial formulations are available, developing magistral formulations is an option, provided that they ensure viability and therapeutic efficacy. To evaluate their stability and culturability, four magistral formulations containing 10<sup>9</sup> microorganisms were tested: vaginal capsules, vaginal ointment, gelatinous ovules, and waxy ovules. Certified strains of <i>L. crispatus</i>, <i>L. johnsonii</i>, <i>L. gasseri</i>, <i>Limosilactobacillus reuteri</i>, and <i>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus</i>, as well as a combination of the five, were used. The formulations were tested for pharmaco-technical stability using average weight and disintegration tests, as well as evaluation organoleptic. In addition, microbial recovery was evaluated by counting Colony-Forming Units (CFUs). All forms, except the gelatinous ovules, allowed microbial recovery at concentrations from 10<sup>7</sup> to 10<sup>9</sup> CFUs, ensuring stability for 60 days. The recovery varied depending on the strains and dosage forms employed, with the most favorable outcomes for vaginal capsules. This highlights the need for standardized strains and excipients in magistral formulations. Further studies are needed to evaluate the viability of other strains of different excipients, vehicles, or different storage; however, capsules have demonstrated efficacy and are an excellent candidate for vaginal use formulations of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1056<i>Lactobacillus</i> spp.vaginal capsulesprobioticsmagistral formulationsvaginal infections treatment |
| spellingShingle | Leandra Sá de Lima Lívia Custódio Pereira Rosane Mansan Almeida Yanna Karla de Medeiros Nóbrega Vaginal Capsules: A Viable Alternative for the Delivery of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. Microorganisms <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. vaginal capsules probiotics magistral formulations vaginal infections treatment |
| title | Vaginal Capsules: A Viable Alternative for the Delivery of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. |
| title_full | Vaginal Capsules: A Viable Alternative for the Delivery of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. |
| title_fullStr | Vaginal Capsules: A Viable Alternative for the Delivery of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vaginal Capsules: A Viable Alternative for the Delivery of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. |
| title_short | Vaginal Capsules: A Viable Alternative for the Delivery of <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. |
| title_sort | vaginal capsules a viable alternative for the delivery of i lactobacillus i spp |
| topic | <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. vaginal capsules probiotics magistral formulations vaginal infections treatment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1056 |
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