Claims
- 1. A method of treating bacterial vaginosis comprising (a) topically contacting the luininal surface of vaginal epithclial cells with an effective pH buffering amount of an aqueous compositions comprising water and an effective amout of a water-swellable, but water-insoluble, cross-linked pH buffering bioadhesive polymer wherein at least 80% of the monomers comprising said polymer contain at least one carboxyl group; and (b) maintaining said contact for a time period sufficient to lower the pH of the vagina to an acidic pH, said composition being free of treating agent.
- 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein at least 90% of the nmonomers comprising the polymer contain at least one carboxyl group.
- 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous composition further comprises a consistency-ending agent.
- 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises monomers at last 90% of which are acrylic acid.
- 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous composition further comprises an adjuvant selected from the group consisting of preservatives, lubricating oils, emulsifying agents, coloring agents, odor-providing agents, and humectants.
- 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is cross-linked with a cross-linking agent added to the polymer at about 0.01 to about 6 weight percent of the polymer.
- 7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said polymer is polycarbophil.
- 8. A method of buffering a mammalian vagina to a pH less than about 6.0 comprising (a) contacting the surface of vaginal epithelial cells with an effective pH buffering amount of an aqueous composition comprising water and an effective amounts of a water-swellable, but water-insoluble, pH-buffering bioadhesive cross-linked polymer wherein at least 80% of the monomers comprising said polymer contain at least one carboxyl group; and (b) maintaining said contact for a time period sufficient to lower the pH of the vagina to an acidic pH, said composition being free of treating agent.
- 9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said polymer is polycarbophil.
- 10. The method according to claim 8 wherein the polymer comprises monomers, at least 90% of which are acrylic acid.
- 11. The method according to claim 8 wherein the aqueous composition further comprises an adjuvant selected from the group consisting of preservatives, lubricating oils,emulsifying agents, coloring agents, odor-providing agents, and humectants.
- 12. The method according to claim 8 wherein the polymer is cross-linked with a cross-linking agent added to the polymer at about 0.01 to about 6 weight percent of the polymer.
- 13. The method according to claim 8 wherein the aqueous composition further comprises a consistency-enhancing agent.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation, of appliction Ser. No. 07/939,454, filed Sep. 2, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of appliction Ser. No. 07/732,738, filed Jul. 18, 1991, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/429,755, filed Oct. 31, 1989, now abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/732,739, filed Jul. 18, 1991, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/429,770, filed Oct. 31, 1989, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
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6172706 |
Apr 1986 |
JPX |
8906964 |
Aug 1989 |
WOX |
8906964 |
Oct 1989 |
WOX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (7)
Entry |
6001 Chemical Abstracts 99 (1983) Oct. No. 14, Columbus, Ohio, USA. |
Breen, J., ed. The Gynecologist and the Older Patient, pp. 304-305 (1988). |
Kaufman et al., Benign Diseases of the Vulva and the Vagina, 3rd ed., pp. 401-418 (1989). |
Barbone et al.,"A Follow-up Study of Methods of Contraception, Sexual Activity and Rates of Trichomoniasis, Candidiasis and Bacterial Vaginosis," Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., vol. 163, No. 2, p. 515 (Aug. 1990). |
Andersen et al., "Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis with an Acid Cream: A Comparison between the Effect of Lactate Gel and Metronidazole", Gynecol. Obstet. Invest., 21:19-25 (1986). |
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Continuations (3)
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939454 |
Sep 1992 |
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Parent |
429755 |
Oct 1989 |
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Parent |
429770 |
Oct 1989 |
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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732738 |
Jul 1991 |
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