Vat photopolymerization of nanocomposite ovules for bacterial vaginosis

• 3D-printed ovules were successfully loaded with gold nanoparticles using an in-situ method for treating vaginal bacterial infections. • The ovules showed antibacterial effects, confirmed by clear inhibition zones in bacterial reduction tests. • Mechanical, surface, water content, and degradation tests indicated stable and reliable performance. • The ovules demonstrated no considerable leakage under different pH conditions, supporting safe and effective vaginal drug delivery. Emerging 3D-printing applications in research areas like wearable technologies and biomedicine are leading to far-reaching advancements. In this study, tailored geometries of ovules were 3D-printing and combined with a novel in-situ gold nanoparticle reduction method, to produce nanocomposite hydrogel-based ovules for treating bacterial vaginal infections. Women suffer from such infections worldwide, and traditional treatments such as antibiotics could be harmful to the human body and lead to antibiotic resistance, amongst other side effects. The Au NPs were synthesized and integrated within the 3D printed HEMA-based hydrogel samples using an in-situ approach that does not rely on commercial reducing agents but instead uses the 3D printed hydrogel geometry itself for gold precursor reduction. Single and multi-material ovules were printed in various geometries, and their stability, degradation, mechanical, optical, and biological properties were thoroughly characterized. The samples’ ability to reduce bacteria was assessed, and the results illustrated the success of the samples in killing bacteria. Hence, the fabricated ovules could be utilized as a safe and targeted alternative for treating such infections.