Comparative study of gels safety for intimate hygiene

Abstract

Topicality. As is well known, the main components of any foam-cleaning means are surfactants (surfactants, detergents), which provide directly needed cleaning action. However, when analyzing the assortment of foaming means for a qualitative composition, it was noted that, as the main detergents in such products, unfortunately, the most commonly used surfactant is anionic surfactant (sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, etc.), which negatively affect the state, are most often used as the main detergents in such agents the mucous membrane and the skin, as a result, have an irritating effect.
Aim. To conduct a comparative analysis of the safety of gels for intimate hygiene of the “mass market” segment, which are presented in the Ukrainian market and the developed gel.
Materials and methods. For this experiment, as a means of comparison, a number of modern gels for intimate hygiene of various manufacturers were chosen. Acute toxicity of the test samples was studied by applying to the pre-cut portion of the skin the back of the rats, which was at least 10 % of the total surface area of the animal. The test samples were applied in a thin layer. The way of contact test samples with the body is selected according to the intended use of the drug in clinical practice. A study of the possible local irritant effect of the test samples of gels for intimate hygiene was performed using the conjunctive test.
Results and discussion. The conducted studies showed that all experimental samples of gels belong to the class of practically non-toxic substances (toxicity class V – LD50 > 2810 mg/kg). It was found that most of the gel samples tested do not cause a local irritant effect, except those containing sodium laureth sulfate (an anionic surfactant that is capable of exhibiting a certain irritating effect).
Conclusions. We carried out the comparative analysis of gels for intimate hygiene safety by industrial production, presented on the Ukrainian market in the mass market segment, as well as the developed gel at the Department of Commodity Science of the National University of Pharmacy. It was established that all studied samples were non-toxic and had almost no local irritant effect.