Abstract Objective: To develop and characterize innovative vaginal dosage forms for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Significance: This study is the first comparative evaluation of the metronidazole (MET)-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofiber formulations on BV treatment. Vaginal nanofibers are one of the potential innovative dosage forms for BV treatment because of their flexible, mucoadhesive, and easy application in vaginal application which can be applied by the mucosal route. Methods: Blank and MET-loaded PVP solutions were prepared at three different concentrations (10, 12.5, 15%) for produce nanofiber. The suitability of the viscosities, surface tensions, and conductivity values of the solutions used to produce nanofibers for the electrospinning process has been evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy, mucoadhesion, permeability, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and drug release tests were performed to reveal the physical, chemical, and pharmaceutical properties of the nanofibers. Mechanical properties, and contact angle of the fibers were also determined. Gel and solution formulations containing MET were prepared for comparative studies. Results: All polymer solutions were found to be suitable for electrospinning process. PVP concentration directly affected nanofiber diameter, mechanical, and mucoadhesion properties of nanofibers. The release profiles of the drug from the nanofibers were similar for all concentration of PVP and release from the fibers was rapid. The permeability coefficient of MET from nanofibers was increased more than gel and solution formulations. Conclusions: Vaginal use of MET-loaded nanofibers has been shown to be a potential drug delivery system for the treatment of BV.

中文翻译：

---

用于阴道给药的静电纺甲硝唑纳米纤维

摘要 目的：开发和表征用于治疗细菌性阴道病（BV）的创新阴道剂型。意义：本研究是对甲硝唑 (MET) 负载的聚乙烯吡咯烷酮 (PVP) 纳米纤维制剂对 BV 治疗的首次比较评估。阴道纳米纤维具有柔韧性、黏膜粘附性和易于在阴道应用中的应用，可通过黏膜途径应用，因此是治疗 BV 的潜在创新剂型之一。方法：制备三种不同浓度（10%、12.5%、15%）的空白和负载 MET 的 PVP 溶液，用于生产纳米纤维。已经评估了用于生产用于静电纺丝过程的纳米纤维的溶液的粘度、表面张力和电导率值的适用性。扫描电子显微镜，粘膜粘附，进行渗透性、傅里叶变换红外光谱、差示扫描量热法和药物释放测试以揭示纳米纤维的物理、化学和药物特性。还测定了纤维的机械性能和接触角。制备含有 MET 的凝胶和溶液制剂用于比较研究。结果：发现所有聚合物溶液都适用于静电纺丝工艺。PVP 浓度直接影响纳米纤维的直径、机械和黏膜粘附特性​​。对于所有浓度的 PVP，药物从纳米纤维中的释放曲线都相似，并且从纤维中释放很快。来自纳米纤维的 MET 渗透系数比凝胶和溶液制剂增加得更多。结论：