THE effect of molecular weight of polycaprolactone in blended nanofibers on the vaginal microbiome response

The health of the vaginal microbiota is a crucial component of an intricate system.Vaginal drug delivery systems play an integral role in women's health by offering targeted and efficient treatment options for various gynaecological conditions, while aiming to minimally impact said bacterial population.We propose using nanofibrous materials based on the polymers polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as a drug delivery system for vaginal environment due to their favourable properties.The molecular weight of PCL can significantly influence the properties of blend nanofibers, which in turn affects their interaction with the vaginal microbiome.The molecular weight of polymers tends to enhance the mechanical properties, crystallinity and stability of the nanofibers, potentially leading to a more controlled and sustained release of incorporated substances.This controlled release is crucial for maintaining a balanced microbiome, as it may help in the release of antimicrobial agents or probiotics.A healthy vaginal microbiome is dominated by various types of Lactobacilli, which produce lactic acid and antimicrobial compounds.We tested the effect of blend nanofibers with PCL of two molecular weights (Mn 45,000 and 80,000) on the growth rate of three Lactobacilli species: L. crispatus, L. gasseri, and L. jensenii.There was no distinguishable effect on the growth rates of L. crispatus and L. gasseri, but the growth rate of L. jensenii was affected by PCL of both molecular weights.This is an important finding for the future use of PCL based nanofibers in vaginal drug delivery.