Mimics Mucus Lubrication and Adhesion in the Vagina to Regulate the Microbiome and Coat Epithelial Cells to Protect Against Pathogenic Infection
The specialized hydrogel in natural enhancement for vaginal health (SHINE-VH) mimics mucus lubrication and adhesion in the vagina for treating bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition disrupting the vaginal microbiome’s balance by altering the mucosal environment of the lower reproductive tract. It is a predominant lower genital tract infection, affecting nearly a quarter of women worldwide, and in the United States, affects approximately one-third of women of reproductive age, with an estimated annual economic burden of $4.8 billion. This imbalance poses a significant threat to reproductive health.
Bacterial vaginosis heightens the risk for a broad range of reproductive health issues, including an increased risk of miscarriages, preterm labor, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and heightened susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and even certain cancers. Despite the prevalence and severity of these risks, current treatment options remain limited and largely ineffective in the long term due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. More than half of women treated for BV experience recurrent infections within a year. Additionally, women with BV experience an increased malodorous and thin vaginal discharge, leading to discomfort and a marked reduction in quality of life. There is an unmet medical need for better, more robust solutions.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a synthetic polymer-based hydrogel, SHINE-VH, for treating bacterial vaginosis. This water-soluble polymer is specifically engineered to mimic the natural properties of healthy vaginal mucus. By recreating this protective environment, SHINE-VH provides a comfortable and safe experience to those using it, while also protecting and maintaining the vaginal microbiome. Its unique design positions it as a safe, effective, and user-friendly intervention capable of reducing the recurrence of BV.
Application
A non-invasive, effective product for the prevention of bacterial vaginosis and protection against sexually transmitted diseases
Advantages
- Bypasses antibiotic resistance, improving the treatment outcome of bacterial vaginosis
- Inhibits harmful microbial adherence to the vaginal epithelium, reducing bacterial vaginosis recurrence
- The hydrogel has a shear lability, reducing its topical friction and providing an effective lubricant for users
- SHINE-VH's ability to mimic the vaginal mucus, helping restore health to the overall microbiome
- Enhances the cervical mucus plug during pregnancy, reducing microbial ascent and inflammation-linked preterm birth
Technology
Bacterial vaginosis is a disruption in the vagina’s microbiome, posing significant reproduction health risks. Mainly this condition raises the risk for other conditions including miscarriages, preterm labor, infertility, STI’s, cancer, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Current treatments are ineffective, with over 50% of women with this condition getting reoccurring infections of BV. Researchers at the University of Florida developed the specialized hydrogel in natural enhancement for vaginal health, SHINE-VH - a water-soluble polymer - to mimic healthy vaginal mucus. The synthetic polymer-based approach incorporates phenyl boronic acid (PBA) moieties for gentle, biocompatible mucoadhesion and overcomes the limitations of current treatments as the polymer is resistant to biodegradation, reproducibly synthesized, ultra-high molecular weight, highly hydrophilic nature, and inexpensive to produce. SHINE-VH provides protection against bacterial vaginosis and lubrication to the users. The applications for this product are wide-ranging, as it protects the body against BV, prevents vaginal microbiome imbalances, and can be used as an effective lubricant.
Brochure
