Melanie Fabiola Ortega Aguirre

Ms. Melanie Fabiola Ortega Aguirre


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
9 July 2026 in Gels
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MAMelanie Fabiola Ortega Aguirre
Melanie Fabiola Ortega Aguirre
IOImelda Olivas-Armendariz
Imelda Olivas-Armendariz
JSJuan Carlos Silva
Juan Carlos Silva
MHMaryel Eunice Hernandez-Gonzalez
Maryel Eunice Hernandez-Gonzalez
LVLaura Elizabeth Valencia-Gomez
Laura Elizabeth Valencia-Gomez
At present, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. Current treatments for cervical cancer, most notably chemotherapy, can induce various adverse side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue, among others. Therefore, alternative therapies are being developed. Intravaginal drug delivery systems based on biopolymers are the subject of extensive research for the treatment of this condition. Some of the most sought-after qualities in these systems are mucoadhesiveness, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, while ensuring controlled and prolonged drug release. Taking these aspects into consideration, this study develops hydrogel ovules composed of O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC) and gelatin, crosslinked with genipin, containing retinyl palmitate at various concentrations, as well as curcumin. The characterization of functional groups and potential interactions between the polymeric matrix and the drugs was carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Physicochemical tests, including swelling, contact angle, and in vitro degradation assays, were also performed to determine the system’s hydrophilicity and its potential duration of use. In vitro release assays for both curcumin and retinyl palmitate were conducted to investigate the release kinetics of these two substances. To assess the mucoadhesiveness of the ovules, a sliding analysis was conducted using porcine uterine tissue. Finally, cell viability studies were performed using mouse fibroblasts and HeLa cells to evaluate the system’s specificity. The results of this study demonstrate that the system, composed of gelatin, OCMC, retinyl palmitate, and curcumin, is mucoadhesive, hydrophilic, and exhibits controlled swelling behavior. In vitro assays demonstrated that the system maintains control of both degradation and drug release for up to 72 h; moreover, it proved non-toxic to healthy cells, with the incorporation of curcumin shown to enhance the selective cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. Based on the foregoing, this drug delivery system containing retinyl palmitate represents a promising potential intravaginal treatment for cervical cancer.