Visual evaluation of binding to mucosal cells of a medical device against the common cold

Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2008 May;34(5):459-64. doi: 10.1080/03639040701657909.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of visualizing the ability of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and a nasal spray (First Defense), in which the bioadhesive is HPMC, to bind to human mucosal cells using inorganic (black carbon particles and Congo red dye) and organic markers (Escherichia coli). A significant reduction in the bacterial adhesiveness has been observed. Our findings indicate the possibility of counteracting the lock-and-key mechanism of microorganism adhesion using the bioadhesive properties of polymers, such as HPMC, in First Defense to prevent a possible contact between adhesins and complementary receptors.

MeSH terms

  • Adhesiveness
  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Bacterial Adhesion*
  • Cheek
  • Common Cold / microbiology*
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hypromellose Derivatives
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Methylcellulose / analogs & derivatives*
  • Methylcellulose / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Mouth Mucosa / metabolism
  • Mouth Mucosa / microbiology*
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Hypromellose Derivatives
  • Methylcellulose