Comparing the Effectiveness of Salvia Officinalis, Clotrimazole, and Their Combination on Vulvovaginal candidiasis on Improvement and Recurrent: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the second most common vaginal infection. Regarding the resistance of microorganisms to chemical drugs, using herbal drugs seems to be a substitute. Laboratory studies confirm the effect of Salvia Officinalis on prevention of Candidal growth. The present study aimed to determine the effect of vaginal tablet of Salvia Officinalis, alone and in combination with clotrimazole, on recovery of Vulvovaginal candidiasis. Methods: This randomized triple-blind clinical trial was conducted in 2017 on 111 women with Vulvovaginal candidiasis in Tabriz educational centers, Iran. The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups of 37 patients: 100 mg vaginal tablet of clotrimazole and placebo (CP), 400 mg vaginal tablet of Salvia Officinalis and placebo (SP), and vaginal tablet of Salvia Officinalis and clotrimazole (SC), once daily for 7 days. On the seventh day and 12 week after treatment, Vulvovaginal candidiasis were examined by vaginal symptoms and wet test, and if positive, they were examined by culture. Results: Only one patient in each of the CP and SC groups have recurrent, and 2 patients in the SP group did not continue treatment because of severe itching. A total of 29 patients (80.6%) in group C.P, 33 patients (94.3%) in group S.P and 35 patients (97.2%) in group S.C were treated (P =0.43). Out of treated patients, 4 (13.8%) patients in group C.P and 1 patient (3%) in group S.P experienced the recurrence of infection 12 weeks after treatment. There was no recurrence in group S.C and there was a significant difference among 3 groups in terms of recurrence (P =0.023). Frequency of a positive wet test in follow-up (7 days after treatment) was significantly lower in SC group than the reference group CP after controlling the confounders (P = 0.043, 95% CI: 0.93-0.932, OR = 0.09), (P = 0.043, 95% CI: 0.011-1.459, OR = 0.127) Conclusion:The vaginal tablet of Salvia Officinalis could treatment and prevent recurrent of the Vulvovaginal candidiasis alone and with clotrimazole. Therefore, vaginal tablet of Salvia Officinalis may be beneficial to women's health, alone or in combination with colutrimazole.