Abstract: Methods for maintaining a low vaginal pH, preventing the propagation of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 production during menstruation, preventing the shedding and dissemination of a herpesvirus and treating herpes lesions comprising administering to a human a formulation comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an insoluble micronized form of cellulose acetate phthalate or a cellulose acetate phthalate film or a cellulose acetate phthalate porous sponge. Also a method of treating Candida albicans infection comprising administering to a human female a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising micronized cellulose acetate phthalate and miconazole nitrate.

Abstract: A complex comprising a starch and an active anti-HIV-1 or anti-HIV-2 ingredient of pomegranate juice that is adsorbed on the starch when the starch is in a water insoluble form. The complex inhibits HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection and blocks the binding of HIV-1 or HIV-2 to the CD4 receptor and the CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors. The complex is used in a method of preventing HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection comprising administering to a mucous membrane of a human a pharmaceutically effective anti-HIV-1 or anti-HIV-2 amount of the complex.

Abstract: A soft, pliable cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP)—hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) composite film is provided which is generated by casting from organic solvent mixtures containing ethanol. The film rapidly reduces the infectivity of several sexually transmitted disease pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), herpesvirus (HSV), non-viral sexually transmitted disease pathogens (such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Haemophilus ducreyi, Chlamydia trachomatis and Treponema pallidum) and bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). The film is converted into a gel/cream and thus does not have to be removed following application and use. In addition to being a topical microbicide, the film can be employed for the mucosal delivery of pharmaceuticals other than cellulose acetate phthalate.

Abstract: A method for the screening of a test compound for inhibiting the binding of a CD4-HIV 1 complex to HIV-1 second receptors, comprising: (a) preparing a magnetic ligand by mixing a magnetic, CD4-containing substrate with HIV-1, (b) mixing the magnetic ligand from step (a) with a test compound, (c) adding cells that express the HIV-1 second receptors to the mixture from step (b), (d) separating cells with bound magnetic ligands from cells without bound magnetic ligands by contact with a magnetic separator, and (e) quantifying the cells with bound magnetic ligands and quantifying the cells without bound magnetic ligands.