Development and evaluation of a thermosensitive vaginal gel containing raltegravir + efavirenz loaded nanoparticles for HIV prophylaxis

► The PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) are <100 nm with good encapsulation of raltegravir and efavirenz. ► The gel was made allowing the gel to be liquid at room temperature and solid at body temperature. ► The blank gel and raltegravir + efavirenz nanoparticles do not cause cytotoxicity over 14 days to HeLa cells. ► Efavirenz had intracellular levels for 14 days and raltegravir had levels for 6 days by HPLC. ► Fluorescent-loaded NPs transfer from the gel within 30 min and phagocytosized by HeLa cells.