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Preclinical evaluation of magainin-A as a contraceptive antimicrobial agent
Aranha Clara1, Dhananjay D Manjramkar, Venkatarami K Reddy
1Immunology Laboratory, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, India.
Objective:
To evaluate the safety and contraceptive efficacy of magainin-A in monkeys.
Design:
Controlled laboratory study.
Setting:
Department of Immunology, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, India.
Animal(S):
Male and female bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata).
Intervention(S):
Animals were treated intravaginally with 1 mg of magainin-A before attempted conception, as well as daily for 14 days to assess local and systemic toxicity.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Suitability of magainin-A for the control of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Result(S):
Complete sperm immobilization was observed within 20 seconds after the exposure to magainin-A (800-1,000 microg) in vitro. Intravaginal administration of 1 mg of magainin-A blocked conception in monkeys. When magainin-A was administered intravaginally for 14 consecutive days, no treatment-related abnormalities were observed in menstrual cycle length, vaginal epithelial cell morphology, and hematologic/serum biochemical profiles. The peptide inhibited the growth of sexually transmitted infection-causing pathogens but not HIV-1 and HIV-2.
Conclusion(S):
Magainin-A can be used as an effective and safe intravaginal contraceptive compound with additional protection against sexually transmitted infection-causing pathogens.