Compositions for vaginal treatment

Abstract

The invention provides mannose phosphate and salts thereof for increasing vaginal cell growth, vaginal cell maturation and vaginal moisture, as well as compositions, articles and methods for treating and preventing vaginal conditions characterized by poor vaginal cell growth, low vaginal cell differentiation and low vaginal moisture.

1 . A vaginal insert for increasing vaginal cell growth in a mammal comprising an effective amount of mannose phosphate or a salt thereof, and a carrier, wherein the effective amount is about 0.001 μg to about 500 mg of mannose phosphate or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The vaginal insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert can increase production of glycogen by vaginal epithelial cells.  
     
     
         3 . The vaginal insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is used to treat or prevent low vaginal cell proliferation, low vaginal cell differentiation or low vaginal moisture.  
     
     
         4 . The vaginal insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is used to treat or prevent vaginal atrophy.  
     
     
         5 . The vaginal insert of  claim 1 , wherein the mannose phosphate is mannose-6-phosphate.  
     
     
         6 . The vaginal insert of  claim 1 , wherein the mannose phosphate is a compound of the formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein X is a monovalent or divalent cation.  
       
     
     
         7 . The vaginal insert of  claim 1 , wherein the mannose phosphate is mixed with or covalently linked to a polymer.  
     
     
         8 . The vaginal insert of  claim 7 , wherein the polymer is poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinylpyrrolidone), or poly(2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate).  
     
     
         9 . The vaginal insert of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal or anti-viral agent.  
     
     
         10 . The vaginal insert of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises hyaluronic acid.  
     
     
         11 - 21 . (canceled)