Citrate-mediated release of aurintricarboxylic acid from a calcium alginate complex: Implications for intravaginal HIV chemoprophylaxis and related applications

Abstract

Factors associated with the intravaginal release of an anti-HIV agent from an alginate complex were considered. Among these is citrate associated with prostatic fluid. This study demonstrates that citrate, at a physiologically appropriate concentration, facilitates the release of an anti-HIV polymer from a calcium alginate complex. The release of the agent can be modified by the concentration of the calcium and alginate in the complex. These results suggest that seminal and prostatic fluid can be considered in the design of an intravaginal system for HIV chemoprophylaxis.

Keyword::

• Aurintricarboxylic acid
• citrate
• alginate

Acknowledgments

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.