Drug Delivery and Translational Research - Featured Article: December 2023
Read the featured article from the December 2023 issue!
Delivery and short-term maternal and fetal safety of vaginally administered PEG-PLGA nanoparticles
This study explored the biodistribution and short-term maternal and fetal safety of vaginally administered polymeric nanoparticles in pregnant mice. After vaginal administration into pregnant mice, fluorescent cargo released from the nanoparticles remained in the vagina, whereas the polymer carrier distributed to the vagina, placentas, and embryos. The nanoparticles did not impact maternal, fetal, or placental weight over a 24-hour observation period, suggesting they display no short-term effects on maternal or fetal growth. The results from this work encourage future investigation into the use of vaginally delivered nanoparticles therapies for conditions affecting the vagina during pregnancy.