Introduction: Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease, caused by Gram negative diplococcus bacteria, Nisseria gonorrhoeae. Currently there are no vaccines for Gonorrhea. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a vaccine. An effective and patient compliant option could be a film dosage form of the vaccine for buccal or sublingual administration. administration. Film dosage forms are easy to prepare, cost effective, and patient complaint. When films are administered in buccal or sublingual area, the vaccines are absorbed systematically. The systemic route can avoid the first pass effect and can increase the bioavailability of the vaccines. The film can be designed is in multilayer forms, where the outer layer can be a protective layer which can prevent the destruction or swallowing of the vaccine. Additionally, it is possible to use vaccines in either naked or particulate form.   

Method: The particle form of the Gonorrhea vaccine was prepared using a spray dryer. The physical properties of the particle were evaluated. The content analysis of the particle was conducted by western blot. The film dosage forms of these particle vaccines were prepared by solvent casting method. Films were evaluated for physical properties such as thickness, disintegration time, plasticity etc. Thickness was measured using the Mitutoyo digital caliper. The permeability of these particulate vaccines was determined by Franz cell using silicone membrane.

Result: The morphology of the particle was irregular shape. The film product was a homogeneous film with smooth surface. The thickness of the film was 0.104 mm. The film was quickly soluble in artificial saliva solution in an average of 40 seconds. The preliminary results in Franz cell study shows that a portion of the particles pass through the silicone membrane.

Conclusions: The particulate form of the Gonorrhea vaccine was prepared and characterized. Also, a film dosage form of the particulate vaccine was prepared. The permeability study of the particulate vaccine was studied using silicone membrane, however in vitro permeability studies will be evaluated and discussed. Future plan also includes animal studies to determine the efficacy of the film vaccine in compare with suspension form.