Probiotic lactobacilli in formulas and hygiene products for the health of the urogenital tract

Abstract

Lactobacilli are the predominant microorganisms of the healthy human vagina. A novel alternative for the prevention and treatment of female urogenital tract infections (UGTI) is the inclusion of these microorganisms as active pharmaceutical ingredients in probiotic formulas, and more recently in female hygienic products. Probiotics are defined as "live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." A list of requirements must be considered during the development of probiotic product/formula for the female urogenital tract (UGT). This review aims to resume the requirements, probiotic characteristics, and clinical trial applied to determine the effect of probiotic and potentially probiotic strains on different woman's physiological and pathological conditions, and in preterm birth prevention. A revision of female hygienic products available in the world market is included, together with novel studies applying nanotechnology for Lactobacillus incorporation in hygienic products. Further studies and well-designed clinical trials are urgently required to complement the current knowledge and applications of probiotics in the female UGT. The use of probiotic formulas and products will improve and restore the ecological equilibrium of the UGT microbiome to prevent and treat UGTI in women under different conditions.

Keywords: clinical trials; female hygienic products; female urogenital tract; live biotherapeutic products; probiotics; urogenital tract infections.

FIGURE 1

Design and elaboration of vaginal products with beneficial probiotic bacteria (modified from reference [86]). LBP, live biotherapeutic products

FIGURE 2

Proposed mechanisms of action for probiotics in the UGT (adapted from different bibliographic references). TLR, toll‐like receptor; UGT, urogenital tract