The effects of Ziziphus Spina leaves’ Hydro-Alcoholic Extract Vaginal Cream and Clotrimazole on Candida albicans in Wistar Rats

Background:

In vitro, Ziziphus Spina-Christi (ZSC) leaves have been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal effects. This study aimed to examine the effects of Ziziphus Spina leaves hydro-alcoholic extracts with Clotrimazole against Candida albicans in female rats.

Methods:

Four groups of rats were infected vaginally with C. Albicans, and 1 group not infected was considered negative control. The infected groups received the following treatments: 2 groups were treated with vaginal 5%, or 10%, of Ziziphus Spina extract creams. One group received 1% clotrimazole, and 1 group did not receive any treatment considered a positive control.

Results:

The mean number of colony-forming units (CFUs) before the intervention was 195.83 ± 395.126 in the 5% ZSC group, 346.33 ± 396.719 in the 10% ZSC group, 345.17 ± 507.431 in the clotrimazole group, 212.20 ± 148.304 in the positive control group (P = .604), and 0 in the negative control group (P = .003). After 1 week, the average number of CFUs considerably dropped to 65.14 ± 36.03 in the 5% ZSC group, 1.43 ± 3.60 in the 10% ZSC group, and 0.43 ± 1.13 in the clotrimazole group. The number in the positive control group remained unchanged (212.20 ± 148.304) (P = .005). After 2 weeks, the average number of CFUs was 0 in the 10% ZSC group, Clotrimazole and negative control groups and was 4.57 ± 23.99 in the 5% ZSC group (P < .001).

Conclusions:

Our findings indicated that the effectiveness of Vaginal creams containing 10% Ziziphus Spina is similar to Clotrimazole in eliminating C. Albicans.

A comparison of the effects of Lawsonia inermis (Iranian henna) and clotrimazole on Candida albicans in rats

BACKGROUND

Candida albicans may cause vaginal infections in women. The aim of this study was to compare the antifungal effect of Lawsonia inermis with that of clotrimazole on rats.

METHODS

A total of 35female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 5groups. Four groups were infected vaginally with C. albicans and one group was not (negative control). The four infected groups received the following treatments: two groups received vaginal creams of 2% or 4% of L. inermis, one group received 1% clotrimazole and one infected group did not receive any treatment (positive control). The hydro-ethanolic henna extract was prepared from the powder of henna leaves using maceration method. Samples were taken for culture from the vaginae of all rats before the treatment, one and two weeks after treatment. An ANOVA test was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Before the treatment, the mean colony forming units (CFU) was 213.6±10.08 and 334.42±20.32 in the 2% and 4% henna groups, respectively, 312.7±28.32 in the clotrimazole group, 233.85±8.15 in the positive control group, and zero in the negative control group. The mean CFUs were zero for all groups except for the 2% henna and positive control groups (P<0.001) one week after the treatment and zero in all groups except for the positive control group two weeks after the treatment (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

L. inermis (henna) in form of vaginal cream could treat C. albicans infections in female rats; however, 4% henna was more effective and had an effect similar to that of clotrimazole.

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial Examining the Effects of Green Tea Extract on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity and Quality of Life

Antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory benefit of green tea (Camellia sinensis) in autoimmune disease has been proven in recent studies. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of green tea on disease activity and quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. A randomized controlled trial on subjects with lupus was conducted, and 68 patients in the age range of 39.1 ± 10.3 years and body mass index of 25.7 ± 5.21 kg/m² completed the 12-week study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (1000 mg green tea extract, two capsules/day) and control (1000 mg of starch, two capsules/day). Main outcome measure, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity, was assessed by the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index at the first and after 3 months of intervention. In addition, patient's quality of life was evaluated by short form of quality-of-life questionnaire at baseline and after 3 months. Green tea extract supplementation significantly reduced disease activity in lupus patients (p < 0.004); in addition, it significantly increased the vitality (p < 0.006) and general health (p < 0.01). This study showed that daily consumption of green tea extracts for 12 weeks improves the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity as well as some aspects of quality of life. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.