Associations of natural polymers to modulate mucoadhesion of vaginal rinse-off and leave-on formulations

The aim of the present work was the development of vaginal mucoadhesive formulations. A first phase of the work was devoted to the investigation of mucoadhesive properties of a series of polymers and of their associations by means of rheological synergism approach. The associations of xanthan gum with guar hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride and lambda carrageenan were characterized by the highest mucoadhesive potential. Such associations were subsequently employed for the preparation of vaginal gels (leave-on formulations) and vaginal douches (rinse-off formulations). The mucoadhesive potential of the formulations was determined by means of different approaches: rheological synergism, tensile and wash away tests. Depending on the polymer associated to xanthan gum (guar hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride or lambda carrageenan) it was possible to modulate the mucoadhesive properties of complex systems such as leave-on and rinse-off formulations. The results obtained confirm that xanthan gum in association with natural polymers is suitable to confer mucoadhesive properties on vaginal formulations.