Researchers from North Carolina State University have created a trifunctional contraceptive gel that contains spermicidal, anti-viral, and libido agents in a single formulation.
When tested in a rat model, the gel both improved male libido and prevented pregnancy in 100% of cases, compared to an average effective rate of 87% with a contraceptive gel available to alternative.
“We are using three pharmaceutical agents in a new format,” said Ke Cheng, Randall B. Terry, Distinguished Professor of Regenerative Medicine at NC State College of Medicine, professor at Co. NC State / UNC department of Biomedical Engineering. and the corresponding author of a paper outlining the work. “Our hope is that this trifunctional contraceptive gel could further improve the safety and quality of sexual intercourse.”
The new carbomer-based gel contains the contraceptive gossypol, the antiviral tenofovir, and nitroglycerin to stimulate blood flow.
Cheng and his team first tested the gel in vitro to test for spermicidal and antiviral efficacy, as well as toxic to vaginal epithelial cells. At 10 micrograms per milliliter gossypol density, the gel was effective in killing nearly 100% of pig sperm – used for in vitro testing – in 30 seconds. Lower densities were just as effective by 180 seconds.
They also tested the gel in vitro against lentivirus and found that it had a inhibitory effect, demonstrating its ability to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. It was also shown that the gel did not damage vaginal epithelial cells, since cell damage in treated cells was not significantly different from untreated, or controlled cells.
Next, the researchers looked at the effects of contraception in a rat model. Eighteen female rats were divided into three groups: one that received the new gel; a man who received a commercially available common contraceptive gel containing nonoxynol9; and control. The women in the trifunctional gel group had no pregnancy, compared with one pregnancy in the nonoxynol9 group9.
The team also tested the effect of the gel on male rat libido and erectile function. Rats that received the gel bred more frequently and with shorter incubation times than those that did not.
The trifunctional contraceptive gel we created has resulted in higher contraceptive success rates than those on the market, and has great potential for improving the safety and quality of sexual intercourse. “
Ke Cheng, Corresponding Author and Professor Study, College of Medical Medicine, North Carolina State University
The research appears in Bioactive substances.
Source:
North Carolina State University
Magazine Reference:
Xie, M .., et al. (2021) Trifunctional contraceptive gel enhances the safety and quality of sexual intercourse. Bioactive substances. doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.11.031.