Intravaginal drug delivery as an alternative therapeutic strategy in polycystic ovarian syndrome
Abstract
A significant number of women of reproductive age struggle with PCOS, a complicated endocrine illness that frequently results in hormonal imbalance, irregular menstruation, and infertility. Systemic drug delivery is a common component of conventional treatment procedures, which may lead to systemic adverse effects and less than ideal therapeutic results. The purpose of this project is to create and assess an intravaginal drug delivery device as a targeted, sustained-release treatment method for PCOS symptoms. Metformin and clomiphene citrate, two medications frequently used to treat PCOS, were put into a mucoadhesive intravaginal gel that was created utilizing biocompatible polymers. PH compatibility, viscosity, drug release profile, mucoadhesive strength, and in vitro cytotoxicity were assessed for the formulation.The results showed excellent mucoadhesive qualities, appropriate pH and viscosity for vaginal administration, and sustained drug release over a 24-hour period. With the promise for improved therapeutic efficacy and decreased systemic exposure, the intravaginal method offered targeted medication delivery. With the goal of enhancing patient compliance and therapeutic results, this administration method presents a viable substitute for oral medication for PCOS.
Keywords:
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Intravaginal drug delivery, Targeted therapy, Mucoadhesive systems, Controlled drug release, Hormonal imbalance
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References
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16. Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. (2012). Reproductive endocrinology: Infertility Treatment in PCOS-is metformin in from the Cold? In Nature Reviews Endocrinology (Vol. 8, Issue 6, pp. 328–330). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.69
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18. Dumesic, D. A., Oberfield, S. E., Stener-Victorin, E., Marshall, J. C., Laven, J.S., & Legro, R. S. (2015). ScientificStatement on the diagnostic criteria, Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and Molecular genetics of polycystic ovary Syndrome. Endocr. Rev., 36(5), 487–525. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2015-1018
19. Durán-Lobato, M., Martín-Banderas, L., Gonçalves, L. M. D., Fernández-Arévalo, M., & Almeida, A. J. (2015a). Comparative Study of chitosan- and PEG-coated lipid and PLGA nanoparticles as oral delivery systems for cannabinoids. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-2875-y
2. Ahmadi, M., Rostamzadeh, A., Fathi, F., Mohammadi, M., & Rezaie, M. J. (2017). The effect of Melatonin on histological Changes of ovary in induced polycystic ovary Syndrome model in mice. Middle East Fertility Society Journal, 22(4),255–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mefs.2017.03.009
3. Ajmal, N., Zeib Khan, S., & Shaikh, R. (2019). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) And genetic predisposition: A review article. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurox.2019.100060
4. 4) Alexander, N. J., Baker, E., Kaptein, M., Karck, U., Miller, L., Zampaglione, E., Wallach, E. E., & Editor, A. (2004). Why Consider vaginal drug administration? MODERN TRENDS FERTILITY AND STERILITY, 82(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004
5. Amirsaadat, S., Jafari-Gharabaghlou, D., Alijani, S., Mousazadeh, H., Dadashpour, M., & Zarghami, N. (2021). Metformin and Silibinin co- loaded PLGA-PEG Nanoparticles for effective combination therapy against human breast cancer cells. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2020.102107
6. Antonowski, T., Osowski, A., Szczesny, D., Szablińska-Piernik, J., Juśkiewicz, J., Lahuta, L., Rynkiewicz, A., & Wojtkiewicz, J. (2022). Pharmacokinetics of Myo-Inositol in a Wistar Rat Animal Model. International Journal ofMolecular Sciences,23(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911246
7. Azziz, R., Carmina, E., Dewailly, D., Diamanti-Kandarakis, E., Escobar-Morreale, H. F., Futterweit, W., Janssen, O. E., Legro, R. S., Norman, R. J., Taylor, A. E., & Witchel, S. F. (2009). The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society criteria for the polycystic ovary syndrome: the complete task force report. Fertility anSterility,91(2), 456–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FERTNSTERT.2008.06.035
8. Beck-Broichsitter, M. (2021). Solvent impacton polymer nanoparticles prepared nanoprecipitation. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects,625https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COLSURFA.2021.126928.
9. Becker Peres, L., Becker Peres, L., de Araújo, P. H. H., & Sayer, C. (2016). Solid lipidnanoparticlesfor encapsulation of hydrophilic drugs by an organic solvent free double emulsion technique. Colloids and SurfacesB: Biointerfaces, 140, 317–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COLSURFB.2015.12.033
10. Bevilacqua, A., Dragotto, J., Giuliani, A., & Bizzarri, M. (2019). Myo- inositol and D-chiro-inositol (40:1) reverse histological and functional features of polycystic ovary syndrome in a mouse model. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 234(6), 9387–9398. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.27623
11. Chemerinski, A., Cooney, L., Shah, D., Butts, S., Gibson-Helm, M., & Dokras, A. (2020). Knowledge of PCOS in physicians-in-training: identifying gaps and educational opportunities. Gynecological Endocrinology, 36(10), 854–859. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2020.1746761
12. Colombo, S., Beck-Broichsitter, M., Bøtker, J. P., Malmsten, M., Rantanen, J., & Bohr, A. (2018). Transforming nanomedicine manufacturing toward Quality by Design and microfluidics. Advanced DrugDelivery Reviews, 128,115–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ADDR.2018.04.00
13. Coviello, T., Trotta, A. M., Marianecci, C., Carafa, M., di Marzio, L., Rinaldi, F., di Meo, C., Alhaique, F., & Matricardi, P. (2015). Gel- embedded niosomes: Preparation, characterization and release Studies of a new system for topical drug Delivery. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 125, 291–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2014.10.060
14. Cu, Y., Booth, C. J., & Saltzman, W. M. (2011). In vivo distribution of surface-Modified PLGA nanoparticles following Intravaginal delivery. Journal of Controlled Release,156(2), 258–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.06.036
15. Date, A. A., Shibata, A., Goede, M., Sanford, B., La Bruzzo, K., Belshan, M.,& Destache, C.J. (2012). Development and Evaluation of a thermosensitive vaginal gel Containing raltegravir+efavirenz loaded Nanoparticles for HIV prophylaxis. Antiviral Research, 96(3), 430–436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.09.015
16. Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. (2012). Reproductive endocrinology: Infertility Treatment in PCOS-is metformin in from the Cold? In Nature Reviews Endocrinology (Vol. 8, Issue 6, pp. 328–330). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.69
17. Dobaria, N., Mashru, R., & Vadia, N. H. (2007). Vaginal drug delivery systems: A Review of Current Status. In East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Vol. 10).
18. Dumesic, D. A., Oberfield, S. E., Stener-Victorin, E., Marshall, J. C., Laven, J.S., & Legro, R. S. (2015). ScientificStatement on the diagnostic criteria, Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and Molecular genetics of polycystic ovary Syndrome. Endocr. Rev., 36(5), 487–525. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2015-1018
19. Durán-Lobato, M., Martín-Banderas, L., Gonçalves, L. M. D., Fernández-Arévalo, M., & Almeida, A. J. (2015a). Comparative Study of chitosan- and PEG-coated lipid and PLGA nanoparticles as oral delivery systems for cannabinoids. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-2875-y
Published
20/01/2026
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How to Cite
S, L. S. “Intravaginal Drug Delivery As an Alternative Therapeutic Strategy in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome”. International Journal of Health Care and Biological Sciences, Vol. 7, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 1-3, doi:10.46795/ijhcbs.v7i1.791.
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