ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2018;35(4):299-310

Original article

UDC: 615.282: 618.15:616-002.828

DOI: 10.2478/afmnai-2018-0032

 

Comparison of the Effects of Artemisia Vaginal Cream and Clotrimazole on Vaginal Candidiasis Infection

 

Ala Saber Mohammad1, Samira Ebrahimzadeh Zagami2, Nahid Golmakani3, Mohammad Javad Asili4, Ali Naseri5, Mahmood Parian-Novghani6, Azaddeh Saki7

1Department of Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2PhD student in Reproductive Health, Faculty Member of Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3Faculty member of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Mashhad, Iran
4Faculty member of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Mashhad, Iran
5Faculty member of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Department of Parasitology & Mycology, Mashhad, Iran
6Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Emam Reza Hospital, School of Medicine,Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
7Faculty member of Mashhad University of medical sciences, Department of Biostatistics, Mashhad, Iran



summary


Candida vaginitis is the second most common vaginal infection which is treatable by azole. Over-consumption of azole is associated with resistance to drug and treatment failure. Studies conducted in laboratory conditions confirm the anti-fungal effects of Artemisia plant. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of vaginal Artemisia cream and clotrimazole on vaginal candidiasis infection.
This is a clinical triple-blind trial that was performed on 72 non-pregnant women referred to Mashhad health centers in 2012-2017. After confirmation of Candida infection, the research units were randomly allocated into two groups: Artemisia and clotrimazole vaginal cream recipients treated for 7 nights. After the treatment, the data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 24).
The results of the study showed that the mean reduction in the score of signs and symptoms of vaginal Candida infection was 7.4 ± 4. 1 and 7.6 ± 3.8 in the Artemisia and clotrimazole group, respectively. Wilcoxon test showed that improvement in both groups treated by Artemisia and clotrimazole was significantly higher than before treatment (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the improvement of symptoms (p > 0.05).
The present study showed that Artemisia vaginal cream and clotrimazole cream both improved the symptoms related to vaginal Candida infection. In addition, the therapeutic effect of the two drugs was not statistically significant in comparison with each other. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative treatment for vaginal candidiasis.


Key words: Candida vulvovaginitis, Artemisia, clotrimazole