Vaginal infections affect millions of women annually worldwide. Therapeutic options are limited, moreover drug-resistance increases the need to find novel antimicrobials for health promotion. Recently phytochemicals were re-discovered for medical treatment. Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) plant extracts showed in vitro antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to their bioactive compounds. The aim of the present study was to create novel nanodevices to deliver three natural extracts from leaves, seeds and fruit of myrtle, in vaginal milieu. We explored their effect on human cells (HeLa, Human Foreskin Fibroblast-1 line, and stem cells isolated from skin), resident microflora (Lactobacillus acidophilus) and on several vaginal pathogens (Trichomonas vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida kefyr, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei). Polycaprolactone-Gelatin nanofibers encapsulated with leaves extract and soaked with seed extracts exhibited a different capability in regard to counteracting microbial proliferation. Moreover, these nanodevices do not affect human cells and resident microflora viability. Results reveal that some of the tested nanofibers are interesting candidates for future vaginal infection treatments.

Ambis College Lindnerova 575 1 18000 Prague Czech Republic

Center for Developmental Biology and Reprogramming Department of Biomedical Sciences University of Sassari Viale San Pietro 43 B 07100 Sassari Italy

Department of Biomedical Sciences University of Sassari Viale San Pietro 43 B 07100 Sassari Italy

Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Sassari 07100 Sassari Italy

Department of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Cagliari Via Ospedale 72 09124 Cagliari Italy

Department of Medical Surgical and Experimental Sciences University of Sassari 07100 Sassari Italy

Faculty of Biomedical Engineering Czech Technical University Prague 27201 Prague Czech Republic

Health and Biological Sciences Department Federal University of Amapà Macapa 68902280 Brazil

Institute of Biophysics 2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University 5 Uvalu 84 15006 Prague Czech Republic

Istituto di Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari Traversa la Crucca 3 07100 Sassari Italy

UCEEB Czech Technical University Trinecka 1024 27343 Bustehrad Czech Republic

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