Compositions and methods for maintaining or enhancing homeostasis or function of female lower reproductive tract

1. A topical, isotonic fertility vaginal gel composition, comprising:

xylose at a total concentration ranging from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight;

a Salvia extract at a total concentration ranging from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight;

a non-irritating viscosity increasing agent at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 25% by weight;

a pH modifying agent at a total concentration ranging from about 0.001% to about 2% by weight;

a buffering agent at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 2.5% by weight;

an osmolality adjuster at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 1% by weight; and

water at a total concentration from about 85% to about 98% by weight;

wherein the composition has a pH of about 6.8 to about 7.8.

2. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a surfactant at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight.

3. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a paraben-free preservative at a total concentration ranging from about 0.005% to about 5% by weight.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent is a cellulose ether, a carbomer, a polyoxazoline, or any combination thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent is hypromellose and carbomer homopolymer type B together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight, wherein the ratio of hypromellose to carbomer homopolymer type B in the composition ranges from about 2:1 to about 6:1.

6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent is (a) hypromellose, (b) a carbomer (c) carboxymethylcellulose, or (d) poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline).

7. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the surfactant is a cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, poloxamer, or any combination thereof.

8. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the surfactant is (a) a cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose at a total concentration ranging from about 0.35% to about 2% by weight; (b) a polyvinyl alcohol at a total concentration ranging from about 1% to about 1.5% by weight; or (c) a poloxamer at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight.

9. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the paraben-free preservative is a phenethyl alcohol, caprylyl glycol, phenoxyethanol, a sorbate, oleuropein, carvacrol, acemannan, or any combination thereof.

10. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the paraben-free preservative is (a) a phenethyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.25% to about 1% by weight; (b) a phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol at a total concentration ranging from about 0.25% to about 1% by weight; (c) a phenoxyethanol and a sorbate, wherein the sorbate is a potassium sorbate, at a total concentration ranging from about 0.4% to about 1% by weight; (d) oleuropein at a total concentration ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.1% by weight; or (e) a carvacrol at a total concentration ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight.

11. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the buffering agent is sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, potassium citrate, or any combination thereof.

12. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the buffering agent is sodium phosphate and potassium phosphate at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight, or sodium phosphate and potassium citrate at a total concentration ranging from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

13. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the pH modifying agent is ammonia, ammonium carbonate, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, potassium hydroxide, potassium phosphate dibasic, sodium bicarbonate, sodium borate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphate dibasic, sodium lactate, trolamine, or any combination thereof.

14. The composition of claim 13 , wherein the pH modifying agent is sodium hydroxide at a total concentration ranging from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight.

15. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the osmolality adjuster is sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or both.

16. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the Salvia extract is obtained from Salvia sclarea, Salvia hispanica, Salvia plebeia , or any combination thereof.

17. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the Salvia extract of the composition is Salvia plebeia extract at a total concentration ranging from about 0.05% to about 0.15% by weight;

further comprising a vascular endothelial growth factor at a total concentration ranging from about 0.005% to about 0.05% by weight;

wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent is carboxymethylcellulose at a total concentration ranging from about 1% to about 3% by weight;

wherein the buffering agent is monobasic sodium phosphate and dibasic potassium phosphate together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 1.1% by weight;

wherein the osmolality adjuster is sodium chloride at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.7% by weight;

wherein the water is at a concentration ranging from about 95% to about 98% by weight; and

wherein the pH modifying agent is sodium hydroxide at a concentration ranging from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight.

18. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the Salvia extract of the composition is Salvia plebeia extract at a total concentration ranging from about 0.05% to about 0.15% by weight;

wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent comprises poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) at a total concentration ranging from about 5% to about 10%;

wherein the buffering agent comprises dibasic sodium phosphate and monobasic potassium phosphate together at a total concentration ranging from about 0 . 5 % to about 1 . 1 % by weight;

wherein the osmolality adjuster comprises sodium chloride at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.75% by weight;

wherein the water is at a total concentration ranging from about 87% to about 94% by weight; and

wherein the pH modifying agent comprises sodium hydroxide at a total concentration ranging from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight.

19. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the Salvia extract of the composition is Salvia plebeia extract at a total concentration ranging from about 0.05% to about 0.15% by weight;

wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent comprises poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) at a total concentration ranging from about 5% to about 10%;

wherein the buffering agent comprises dibasic sodium phosphate and monobasic potassium phosphate together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 1.1% by weight;

wherein the osmolality adjuster comprises sodium chloride at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.75% by weight;

wherein the water is at a total concentration ranging from about 87% to about 94% by weight; and

wherein the pH modifying agent comprises sodium hydroxide at a total concentration ranging from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight.

20. The composition of claim 19 , further comprising a paraben-free preservative comprising phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.7% by weight.

21. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the Salvia extract of the composition is Salvia sclarea extract at a total concentration ranging from about 0.025% to about 0.075% by weight;

wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent comprises hypromellose at a total concentration ranging from about 1% to about 2% by weight;

wherein the surfactant comprises polyvinyl alcohol at a total concentration ranging from about 1% to about 2% by weight;

wherein the buffering agent comprises dibasic sodium phosphate and potassium citrate together at a total concentration ranging from about 1% to about 3% by weight;

wherein the osmolality adjuster comprises sodium chloride at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.3% by weight;

wherein the water is at a total concentration ranging from about 95% to about 98% by weight; and

wherein the pH modifying agent comprises sodium hydroxide at a total concentration ranging from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight.

22. The composition of claim 21 , further comprising a paraben-free preservative comprising oleuropein at a total concentration ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.1% by weight.

23. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the Salvia extract of the composition is Salvia sclarea extract at a total concentration ranging from about 0.025% to about 0.075% by weight;

wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent comprises poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) at a total concentration ranging from about 5% to about 10% by weight;

wherein the surfactant comprises a poloxamer at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.7% by weight;

wherein the buffering agent comprises monobasic sodium phosphate and dibasic potassium phosphate together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 1.1% by weight;

wherein the osmolality adjuster comprises sodium chloride at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight;

wherein the water is at a total concentration ranging from about 87% to about 94% by weight; and

wherein the pH modifying agent comprises sodium hydroxide at a total concentration ranging from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight.

24. The composition of claim 23 , further comprising a paraben-free preservative comprising carvacrol at a total concentration ranging from about 0.03% to about 0.5% by weight.

25. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the Salvia extract of the composition is Salvia sclarea extract at a total concentration ranging from about 0.025% to about 0.075% by weight;

wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent comprises hypromellose and carbomer homopolymer type B together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.2% to about 3% by weight, and wherein the ratio of hypromellose to carbomer homopolymer type B in the composition ranges from about 2:1 to about 6:1;

wherein the surfactant comprises cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 1% by weight;

wherein the buffering agent comprises monobasic sodium phosphate and dibasic potassium phosphate together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight;

wherein the osmolality adjuster comprises sodium chloride at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.7% by weight;

wherein the water is at a total concentration ranging from about 95% to about 98% by weight; and

wherein the pH modifying agent comprises sodium hydroxide at a total concentration ranging from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight.

26. The composition of claim 25 , further comprising a paraben-free preservative wherein the paraben-free preservative comprises a solution of phenethyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.2% to about 0.9% by weight, wherein the solution comprises phenethyl alcohol in an amount of 56%-60% and caprylyl glycol in an amount of 40%-44%.

27. The composition of claim 25 , wherein the composition has a pH of about 7.0 to about 7.6.

28. The composition of claim 25 , further comprising a paraben-free preservative comprising phenethyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.2% to about 0.9% by weight.

29. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the Salvia extract of the composition is Salvia sclarea extract at a total concentration ranging from about 0.025% to about 0.075% by weight;

wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent comprises hypromellose and carbomer homopolymer type B together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.2% to about 2% by weight, and wherein the ratio of hypromellose to carbomer homopolymer type B in the composition is about 3.3:1;

wherein the surfactant comprises cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 1% by weight;

wherein the buffering agent comprises monobasic sodium phosphate and dibasic potassium phosphate together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight;

wherein the osmolality adjuster comprises sodium chloride at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.7% by weight;

wherein the water is at a total concentration ranging from about 95% to about 98% by weight; and

wherein the pH modifying agent comprises sodium hydroxide at a total concentration ranging from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight.

30. The composition of claim 29 , further comprising a paraben-free preservative wherein the paraben-free preservative comprises a solution of phenethyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.2% to about 0.9% by weight, wherein the solution comprises phenethyl alcohol in an amount of 56%-60% and caprylyl glycol in an amount of 40%-44%.

31. The composition of claim 29 , wherein the composition has a pH of about 7.0 to about 7.6.

32. The composition of claim 29 , further comprising a paraben-free preservative comprising phenethyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.2% to about 0.9% by weight.

33. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the Salvia extract of the composition is Salvia sclarea extract at a total concentration ranging from about 0.025% to about 0.075% by weight;

wherein the non-irritating viscosity-increasing agent comprises hypromellose and carbomer homopolymer type B together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.75% to about 1.5% by weight, and wherein the ratio of hypromellose to carbomer homopolymer type B in the composition is about 2.6:1;

wherein the buffering agent comprises dibasic sodium phosphate and potassium citrate together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 3% by weight;

wherein the osmolality adjuster comprises sodium chloride at a total concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.7% by weight;

wherein the water is at a total concentration ranging from about 95% to about 98% by weight; and

wherein the pH modifying agent comprises sodium hydroxide at a total concentration ranging from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight.

34. The composition of claim 33 , further comprising a paraben-free preservative comprising phenoxyethanol and potassium sorbate together at a total concentration ranging from about 0.25% to about 0.75% by weight.

35. A method for enhancing fertility, comprising topically applying an effective amount of the composition of claim 1 to the lower reproductive tract of a female subject, wherein the composition is topically applied to the subject before or during sexual intercourse and the subject is in an ovulatory phase.

36. The method of claim 35 , wherein the vaginal microbiota of the female subject is not reduced greater than 25% following topical application of the composition to the lower reproductive tract as compared to an untreated control female subject or prior to topical application of the composition to the lower reproductive tract.

37. The method of claim 36 , wherein the subject is human.

38. A method for enhancing vaginal ecosystem homeostasis of the lower reproductive tract of a female subject, comprising topically applying an effective amount of the composition of claim 1 to the lower reproductive tract of a female subject.

39. The method of claim 38 , wherein the vaginal microbiota of the female subject is not reduced greater than 25% following topical application of the composition to the lower reproductive tract as compared to an untreated control female subject or prior to topical application of the composition to the lower reproductive tract.

40. The method of claim 39 , wherein the subject is human.

41. A method for increasing hydration of the vaginal mucosa, comprising topically applying an effective amount of the composition of claim 1 to the lower reproductive tract of a female subject.

42. The method of claim 41 , wherein the vaginal microbiota of the female subject is not reduced greater than 25% following topical application of the composition to the lower reproductive tract as compared to an untreated control female subject or prior to topical application of the composition to the lower reproductive tract.

43. The method of claim 42 , wherein the subject is human.