Scientists from the University of Messina conducted a study to explore whether introducing lactic acid directly into the vagina could influence the course of a bacterial inflammatory process in the vaginal environment. The findings appeared in the journal Scientific Reports. The focus was on bacterial vaginosis, a condition typically driven by an overgrowth of bacteria, notably Gardnerella vaginalis, and it is commonly treated with antibiotics. Yet rising resistance among vaginal bacteria has led to more frequent relapses, underscoring the need for supplementary approaches that can support standard therapy and reduce recurrence rates.
In the experimental setup, researchers evaluated several drugs in a mouse model of bacterial vaginosis driven by Gardnerella vaginalis. Treatments were delivered intravaginally, while antibiotic therapy was administered concurrently. The goal was to determine whether these additives could bolster the antibacterial effect and ease the inflammatory response within the vaginal mucosa. The results indicated that products containing lactic acid hindered the replication of the offending bacterium, improved the integrity of the vaginal mucosa, and lowered inflammatory markers. Notably, formulations that included grape seed extract or pea protein also demonstrated beneficial activity in this model. The overall pattern suggested that these strategies can work alongside antibiotics to enhance clinical outcomes (Cited data from the Messina study, with interpretation by the research team).
Quantitatively, the investigators observed a 38% decrease in bacterial counts when the tested formulations were used before initiating antibiotic treatment, compared with controls. When the same formulations were applied after the start of antibiotic therapy, the reduction in bacterial load was about 11%. These numbers point to a potential role for intravaginal adjuvants in supporting antibiotic regimens and mitigating the development of resistance among vaginal bacteria (Messina team, replication of findings as described in their report).
The authors emphasize that these drug candidates show promise for both prevention and treatment of bacterial vaginosis and may contribute to lowering the incidence of antibiotic resistance in the vaginal microbiome. Nevertheless, they caution that clinical studies in humans are required to verify safety, efficacy, and optimal usage parameters before any recommendations for routine clinical application can be made. In the meantime, the research adds to a growing body of evidence that complementary intravaginal therapies could complement standard antibiotic care and potentially improve patient outcomes in regions facing antibiotic resistance challenges. Further work is expected to clarify dosing schedules, formulation stability, and long-term effects in human populations (institutional remarks and study context attributed to the investigators from Messina).