Design, Formulation, and Evaluation of Hyptis suaveolens-Loaded Bioadhesive Vaginal Gels

Abstract

The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a vaginal gel containing petroleum ether extract of Hyptis suaveolens leaves. The extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening to identify the presence of various phytoconstituents. Vaginal gel formulations were prepared using different gelling agents, namely Carbopol 934P, HPMC K100, Pemulen TR-1, Pemulen TR-2, Xanthan gum, and Lutrol, at varying concentrations employing standard gelling techniques. All Hyptis suaveolens (HS) gel formulations were evaluated for physical parameters including appearance, spreadability, viscosity, pH, and extrudability following standard methods. The pH values of several formulations were found to be outside the desirable vaginal pH range of 4.5–5.5, and those formulations were excluded from further characterization. Among the formulations, CF3, HF3, P1F3, P2F3, LF3, and XF3, containing higher concentrations of respective gelling agents, exhibited satisfactory physical characteristics. These selected gels were subjected to in vitro diffusion studies. Based on diffusion profiles, the formulation containing Carbopol 934P (CF3) was optimized due to its desirable retarding ability and consistency. The optimized formulation was further evaluated in vivo in rats to assess antifertility activity. Results revealed that the petroleum ether extract of Hyptis suaveolens leaves effectively inhibited sperm motility and prevented conception, indicating its potential as an antifertility agent in vaginal gel form.