Chinese Herbal Formula Feilin Vaginal Gel Prevents the Cervicitis in Mouse Model

Turmeric Bioactive Compounds Alleviate Spinal Nerve Ligation-Induced Neuropathic Pain by Suppressing Glial Activation and Improving Mitochondrial Function in Spinal Cord and Amygdala

This study examined the effects of turmeric bioactive compounds, curcumin C3 complex® (CUR) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), on mechanical hypersensitivity and the gene expression of markers for glial activation, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress in the spinal cord and amygdala of rats with neuropathic pain (NP). Twenty-four animals were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, spinal nerve ligation (SNL, an NP model), SNL+100 mg CUR/kg BW p.o., and SNL+50 mg BDMC/kg BW p.o. for 4 weeks. Mechanical hypersensitivity was assessed by the von Frey test (VFT) weekly. The lumbosacral section of the spinal cord and the right amygdala (central nucleus) were collected to determine the mRNA expression of genes (IBA-1, CD11b, GFAP, MFN1, DRP1, FIS1, PGC1α, PINK, Complex I, TLR4, and SOD1) utilizing qRT-PCR. Increased mechanical hypersensitivity and increased gene expression of markers for microglial activation (IBA-1 in the amygdala and CD11b in the spinal cord), astrocyte activation (GFAP in the spinal cord), mitochondrial dysfunction (PGC1α in the amygdala), and oxidative stress (TLR4 in the spinal cord and amygdala) were found in untreated SNL rats. Oral administration of CUR and BDMC significantly decreased mechanical hypersensitivity. CUR decreased CD11b and GFAP gene expression in the spinal cord. BDMC decreased IBA-1 in the spinal cord and amygdala as well as CD11b and GFAP in the spinal cord. Both CUR and BDMC reduced PGC1α gene expression in the amygdala, PINK1 gene expression in the spinal cord, and TLR4 in the spinal cord and amygdala, while they increased Complex I and SOD1 gene expression in the spinal cord. CUR and BDMC administration decreased mechanical hypersensitivity in NP by mitigating glial activation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Efficacy of Acacia nilotica Linn. Pod's Sitz Bath plus Vaginal Pessary in Syndromic Management of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives

Abnormal vaginal discharge (Sayalan al-Rahim) is a common public health problem that significantly disrupts the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Syndromic management infers the concurrent treatment of two or more infections. Hence, a comparative, single-blind study was planned to determine the efficacy of Acacia (Acacia nilotica Linn.) pod's sitz bath (Abzan) plus vaginal pessary (Farzaja) vs. placebo in abnormal vaginal discharge syndromic management, its associated symptoms, and women's HRQoL.

Methods

Diagnosed patients (n = 66) were randomly divided into Acacia (n = 33) and placebo (n = 33) group. Acacia group received Sitz bath with Acacia pod powder (30g) solution followed by vaginal cotton pessary (5 ml of the same solution) once daily for 10 days. The placebo group received palm sugar powder (30g) solution for Sitz bath plus vaginal cotton pessary same as the Acacia group. Primary outcomes included clinical cure assessed with VAS for symptoms and Modified McCormack Pain Scale (McPS) for pelvic tenderness. The secondary outcomes included were the EQ-5D-5 L questionnaire, TSQM questionnaire, sachet count, and microbiological cure. Overall, therapeutic cure included clinical and microbiological cure after treatment.

Results

The overall therapeutic cure for bacterial vaginosis, cervicitis, and uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease was 100% (n = 7/7), 45.45% (n = 10/22), and 71.42% (n = 5/7), respectively, in the Acacia group, while in the placebo group none of the patients had responded. The VAS score for symptoms was significantly reduced in Acacia than in the placebo group. At each follow-up, the improvement in the EQ-5D-5 L level of HRQoL was significantly higher in the Acacia group than in the placebo group.

Conclusion

Acacia would be an effective and safe alternative in syndromic management of abnormal vaginal discharge, associated symptoms, and improved women's HRQoL. Trial registration. This trial was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of Indian Trials Website and given the identification no. CTRI/2018/02/012175 (dated: 27/02/2018).