Volume 24, Issue 8 (11-2025)
JRUMS 2025, 24(8): 689-708 |
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Ethics code: IR.SBMU.RETECH.REC.1402.704
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Bashiri Barazandeh M, Golkar A, Tabesh H, Farzaneh F. Design and Evaluation of an Injectable Gelatin/Alginate Hydrogel Loaded with Ciprofloxacin for Vaginal Infection Therapy: A Laboratory Study. JRUMS 2025; 24 (8) :689-708
URL: http://journal.rums.ac.ir/article-1-7721-en.html
URL: http://journal.rums.ac.ir/article-1-7721-en.html
University of Tehran
Abstract: (18 Views)
Background and Objectives: Vaginal infections are common among women and are often caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Conventional topical treatments have limitations, including short drug retention time, the need for frequent administration, and local irritation. This study aimed to design and evaluate a gelatin/alginate injectable hydrogel loaded with ciprofloxacin to improve the treatment of these infections.
Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, hydrogels with different concentrations of gelatin and alginate, loaded with ciprofloxacin, were prepared. Their physical properties, including morphology, swelling ratio, and rheological behavior, were assessed. Drug release profiles were analyzed, and the antibacterial activity of the optimized hydrogel against E.coli and S.aureus was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk, Brown–Forsythe tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: Comparative analyses showed that the gelatin/alginate injectable hydrogel with a 6:6 weight/volume ratio exhibited a uniform structure and controlled drug release, with higher biocompatibility compared to other formulations. Antibacterial tests indicated that the ciprofloxacin-loaded hydrogel effectively inhibited the growth of both tested bacteria and showed similar performance to free ciprofloxacin, while its cytotoxicity was significantly lower (p=0.0111).
Conclusion: The gelatin/alginate injectable hydrogel formulation can serve as an effective drug delivery system for the topical treatment of vaginal infections. By prolonging local drug retention, it enhances therapeutic efficacy and can be a suitable alternative to conventional treatments.
Keywords: Drug delivery, Ciprofloxacin, Injectable hydrogel, Gelatin, Alginate, Vaginal infection
Funding: This study was funded by the Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, under contract number 02-43007991.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
Ethical considerations: The Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences approved the study (IR.SBMU.RETECH.REC.1402.704).
Authors’ Contributions:
- Conceptualization: Hadi Tabesh
- Methodology: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
- Data collection: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
- Formal analysis: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
- Supervision: Hadi Tabesh, Farah Farzaneh
- Project administration: Hadi Tabesh, Farah Farzaneh
- Writing – original draft: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
- Writing – review & editing: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, hydrogels with different concentrations of gelatin and alginate, loaded with ciprofloxacin, were prepared. Their physical properties, including morphology, swelling ratio, and rheological behavior, were assessed. Drug release profiles were analyzed, and the antibacterial activity of the optimized hydrogel against E.coli and S.aureus was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk, Brown–Forsythe tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: Comparative analyses showed that the gelatin/alginate injectable hydrogel with a 6:6 weight/volume ratio exhibited a uniform structure and controlled drug release, with higher biocompatibility compared to other formulations. Antibacterial tests indicated that the ciprofloxacin-loaded hydrogel effectively inhibited the growth of both tested bacteria and showed similar performance to free ciprofloxacin, while its cytotoxicity was significantly lower (p=0.0111).
Conclusion: The gelatin/alginate injectable hydrogel formulation can serve as an effective drug delivery system for the topical treatment of vaginal infections. By prolonging local drug retention, it enhances therapeutic efficacy and can be a suitable alternative to conventional treatments.
Keywords: Drug delivery, Ciprofloxacin, Injectable hydrogel, Gelatin, Alginate, Vaginal infection
Funding: This study was funded by the Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, under contract number 02-43007991.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
Ethical considerations: The Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences approved the study (IR.SBMU.RETECH.REC.1402.704).
Authors’ Contributions:
- Conceptualization: Hadi Tabesh
- Methodology: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
- Data collection: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
- Formal analysis: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
- Supervision: Hadi Tabesh, Farah Farzaneh
- Project administration: Hadi Tabesh, Farah Farzaneh
- Writing – original draft: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
- Writing – review & editing: Mostafa Bashiri Barazandeh, Ali Golkar
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Citation: Bashiri Barazandeh M, Golkar A, Tabesh H, Farzaneh F. Design and Evaluation of an Injectable Gelatin/Alginate Hydrogel Loaded with Ciprofloxacin for Vaginal Infection Therapy: A Laboratory Study. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2025; 24 (8): 689-708. [Farsi]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Gynecology
Received: 2025/04/22 | Accepted: 2025/10/8 | Published: 2025/11/19
Received: 2025/04/22 | Accepted: 2025/10/8 | Published: 2025/11/19
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