Safety Study of an Antimicrobial Peptide Lactocin 160, Produced by the VaginalLactobacillus rhamnosus

[摘要] Objective.To evaluate the safety of the antimicrobial peptide, lactocin 160.Methods.Lactocin 160, a product of vaginal probioticLactobacillus rhamnosus160 was evaluated for toxicity and irritation. An in vitro human organotypicvaginal-ectocervical tissue model (EpiVaginal) was employed for the safety testing bydetermining the exposure time to reduce tissue viability to 50% (ET-50). Hemolytic activity of lactocin160was tested using 8% of human erythrocyte suspension. Susceptibility of lactobacilli to lactocin160 wasalso studied. Rabbit vaginal irritation (RVI) model was used for an in vivo safetyevaluation.Results.The ET-50 value was 17.5 hours for lactocin 160 (4.9 hours fornonoxynol 9, N9). Hemolytic activity of lactocin 160 was 8.2% (N9 caused total hemolysis). Lactobacilliresisted to high concentrations of peptide preparation. The RVI model revealed slight vaginal irritation. Anaverage irritation index grade was evaluated as “none.”Conclusions.Lactocin160 showed minimal irritation and has a good potential for intravaginal application.

[学科分类] 妇产科学