Studies Supporting the Efficacy of Boric Acid

Iavazzo, C., Gkegkes, I. D., Zarkada, I. M., & Falagas, M. E. (2011). Boric Acid for Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: The Clinical Evidence. Journal of Women’s Health, 20(8), 1245–1255. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2010.2708

Page: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21774671/

Summary: Researchers evaluated multiple studies revolving around boric acid as a treatment for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Cure rates varied 40% to 100%, and none of the studies reported major differences in yeast infection recurrence rates. The researchers concluded that boric acid is a safe alternative to other treatments. It’s also an affordable alternative to more conventional treatments that may fail to target the non-albicans or drug-resistant strains of yeast.

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Reichman, O., Akins, R., & Sobel, J. D. (2009). Boric Acid Addition to Suppressive Antimicrobial Therapy for Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 36(11), 732–734. https://doi.org/10.1097/olq.0b013e3181b08456

Page: https://journals.lww.com/stdjournal/Fulltext/2009/11000/Boric_Acid_Addition_to_Suppressive_Antimicrobial.13.aspx

 Summary: Researchers gave women 600 mg of boric acid daily, which was inserted into the vagina, along with antibiotic treatment. Cure rate ranged from 88% to 92%, 7 and 12 weeks after the initial treatment. The authors  suggest that boric acid might work by removing bacterial mucus from the vagina. By doing this, it may help eliminate persistent bacterial pathogens.

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Larsen, B., Petrovic, M., & De Seta, F. (2017). Boric Acid and Commercial Organoboron Products as Inhibitors of Drug-Resistant Candida albicans. Mycopathologia, 183(2), 349–357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-017-0209-6

Page: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11046-017-0209-6

Summary: For decades, boric acid has been used as a topical antifungal in women who have failed standard antifungal drugs. Research suggests that boric acid restricts the growth of drug-resistant Candida albicans and diminishes its cell volume. Candida glabrata was also found to be inhibited by boric acid.

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Brittingham, A., & Wilson, W. A. (2014). The Antimicrobial Effect of Boric Acid on Trichomonas vaginalis. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 41(12), 718–722. https://doi.org/10.1097/olq.0000000000000203

 Page: https://journals.lww.com/stdjournal/Fulltext/2014/12000/The_Antimicrobial_Effect_of_Boric_Acid_on.6.aspx

Summary: Studies have shown that boric acid can effectively inhibit the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis, above and beyond its effects on the acidity of the environment. This supports the idea that boric acid should be an appropriate treatment option for trichomoniasis.

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De Seta, F., Schmidt, M., Vu, B., Essmann, M., & Larsen, B. (2008). Antifungal mechanisms supporting boric acid therapy of Candida vaginitis. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 63(2), 325–336. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkn486 

 Page:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19059942/

Summary: Boric acid interferes with the development of yeast's biofilm and hyphal transformation, preventing it from growing to become infectious. Its does this by inhibiting the oxidative metabolism of the living cells, which in turn hinders their energy production process.

Studies Supporting the Superiority of Vegan Capsules over Gelatin Capsules  

Sakaeda, T., Nakamura, T., Okumura, K., Tochio, S., & Nagata, S. (2002). Dissolution Properties of Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) Capsules. Iryo Yakugaku (Japanese Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences), 28(6), 594–598. https://doi.org/10.5649/jjphcs.28.594 

Page: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjphcs2001/28/6/28_6_594/_article/-char/en

Summary: The study compared the dissolution properties of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) capsules against gelatin capsules. The test was performed after the capsules were stored under different conditions (temperature, humidity, dissolution media) and timescales. The gelatin capsules were far more susceptible to the varying conditions than the HPMC capsules which demonstrated no delay in dissolution.

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Gullapalli, R. P., & Mazzitelli, C. L. (2017). Gelatin and Non-Gelatin Capsule Dosage Forms. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 106(6), 1453–1465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2017.02.006

Page:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28209365/

Summary: HPMC capsule shells have lower moisture content and hygroscopicity than gelatin capsule shells. As a result, there's less risk of moisture transfer to the contents of the capsule, which are great advantages for the improved stability of the medicinal product in capsules.

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Prakash, A., Soni, H., Mishra, A., & Sarma, P. (2017). Are your capsules vegetarian or nonvegetarian: An ethical and scientific justification. Indian journal of pharmacology, 49(5), 401–404. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijp.IJP_409_17

Page: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5830853/

Summary: This review suggests that advantages of vegetarian capsules compared to gelatin capsules include lower moisture content and hygroscopicity, as well as higher physical stability and stability in different ranges of temperature and humidity.

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Al-Tabakha M. M. (2010). HPMC capsules: current status and future prospects. Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences : a publication of the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Societe canadienne des sciences pharmaceutiques, 13(3), 428–442. https://doi.org/10.18433/j3k881

Page: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21092714/

Summary: Reported advantage of HPMC capsules over gelatin capsules is related to the difference in moisture content of the shells. Because HPMC shells contain significantly less moisture compared to hard gelatin capsules, it is compatible with hygroscopic materials. Additionally, HPMC capsule shells, unlike hard gelatin capsules, are resistant to breaking and cracking in low humidity. Furthermore, the cross-linking of gelatin that affects product dissolution and disintegration has not been observed for HPMC capsules under similar conditions.

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Sheladiya Dipak, V., Sodha, H. I., Shah, K., & Desai, T. (2012). Vegetable Capsule Shell. Int J Chem Pharm Sci, 1, 1248-55.  

Page: https://ijpcsonline.com/files/files/47-189.pdf

Summary: The main advantage of HPMC capsules over gelatin capsules could be because of their vegetable source which has wider customer acceptance. Another reported advantage is related to the stability over a wide range of temperature and humidity, making HPMC capsules compatible with a wider range of products.