Studies on safety aspects of contraceptive Magainin-A in rabbits.

We have previously reported the contraceptive potential of Magainin-A in rats and rabbits under in vitro and in vivo condition. In this report we evaluated the effect of Magainin-A on the structural organisation of vaginal epithelium in rabbits. The effect of this compound on the erythrocytes and its rate of absorption and clearance from systemic circulation was also studied. The effective contraceptive dose of Magainin-A (1 mg) when administered intra-vaginally for five consecutive days did not induce any structural or morphological abnormalities in vaginal epithelial cells. No adverse effect was observed on the erythrocytes. The rate of Magainin-A absorption and clearance from the circulation was found to be rapid. These results suggest that Magainin-A may be used as a safe intra-vaginal contraceptive compound in future.