SAMMA, a mandelic acid condensation polymer, inhibits dendritic cell-mediated HIV transmission.

SAMMA, a mandelic acid condensation polymer, exhibits a broad antimicrobial activity against several sexually transmitted pathogens including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Here we demonstrated that SAMMA suppressed HIV transmission by dendritic cells (DCs), one of the first target cells for primary infection. The greatest inhibitory effect was achieved when SAMMA was present during the co-culture with target cells.

Vaginal safety after use of a bioadhesive, acid-buffering, microbicidal contraceptive gel (ACIDFORM) and a 2% nonoxynol-9 product.

Background: ACIDFORM is a microbicidal and contraceptive candidate with strong buffering capacity.

Methods: This was a Phase I blinded, randomized and crossover clinical study on two products, ACIDFORM and a commercial nonoxynol-9 (N-9) product (2%), evaluating their vaginal safety in 20 couples aged between 19 and 45 years. The women had regular menses, underwent previous tubal ligation, were not breast-feeding, had no vaginal sign and symptom and were in a stable partnership; both partners had no previous STI.

SAMMA induces premature human acrosomal loss by Ca2+ signaling dysregulation.

SAMMA is licensed for development as a contraceptive microbicide. Understanding mechanisms of its biological activity is prerequisite to designing more active second generation products. This study examined Ca(2+) involvement in SAMMA-induced premature acrosomal loss (SAL) in noncapacitated human spermatozoa.

A pilot clinical trial comparing an acid-buffering formulation (ACIDFORM gel) with metronidazole gel for the treatment of symptomatic bacterial vaginosis.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of an acid-buffering formulation gel (ACIDFORM) with metronidazole gel in the treatment of symptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Methods: After a confirmed diagnosis of BV according to the criteria established by Nugent and Amsel, 30 nonpregnant women were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind clinical study. The women were randomly assigned to receive either 5 g ACIDFORM gel (n = 13) or 10% metronidazole gel (n = 17) intravaginally once daily for five consecutive days.

Biological activity assessment of a novel contraceptive antimicrobial agent.

Microbicides are a new category of compounds being developed as a prophylactic approach for the prevention of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These are primarily being developed as women-controlled methods, with the target of designing new compounds or formulations that can be used without the knowledge of a male partner. Microbicide screening can be initially based on their hyaluronidase-inhibiting (HI) activity, as this enzyme plays a major role in the sperm and microbe penetration into the substrate.