The Effect of Surface Tension on the Epithelial Spreading of Non-Newtonian Drug Delivery Vehicles: Numerical Simulations

This paper is one of the components of our research on how to optimize polymeric drug delivery vehicles. One of the applications is in the topical delivery of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gels called microbicides [1]. Microbicides are delivered to vaginal or rectal epithelium to protect it from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Microbicides may provide a physical barrier amplifying the normal vaginal defense, as well as destroy the pathogens chemically or inhibit viral infection. The microbicide may consist of an anti-HIV active agent in some delivery vehicle, such as a gel, cream or foam. Microbicides are a promising solution to provide a low-cost, female-controlled method for protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted pathogens.