The effect of curcumin-based and clotrimazole vaginal cream in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Nilufar Abouali; Eskandar Moghimipour; Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi; Foroogh Namjouyan; Zahra Abbaspoor

doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_584_19

The effect of curcumin-based and clotrimazole vaginal cream in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

J Family Med Prim Care. 2019 Dec 10;8(12):3920-3924. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_584_19. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Authors

Nilufar Abouali¹, Eskandar Moghimipour², Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi³, Foroogh Namjouyan⁴, Zahra Abbaspoor¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Midwifery, Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
² Medicinal Plants Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
³ Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
⁴ Pharmacognosy, Marine Pharmaceutical Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the second most common infection of the lower female genital among women passing through their productive age. Furthermore, Candida albicans is the most common VVC agents followed by, non-albicans Candida species. Nowadays, extensive studies are being conducted on alternative therapies and the use of herbal medicines.

Objectives: The present study was conducted to compare the effect of curcumin and clotrimazole vaginal cream in the treatment of VVC.

Methods: The present randomized controlled trial study was performed on 94 women passing through their productive age after their being diagnosed with VVC. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups, with one receiving curcumin-based vaginal 10% cream and the other receiving clotrimazole vaginal 1% cream. The treatment period was 1 week and a full 5 g applicator was used every night. Required follow-up was implemented 4-7 days after the end of treatment.

Results: The results showed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of vaginal discharge, itching, vulvovaginal irritation, and vulvovaginal erythema (P > 0.05); however, the number of negative cultures in the group receiving curcumin was significantly lower in comparison with the other group, which received clotrimazole (P = 0.002).

Conclusion: It seems that although curcumin could be effective in the treatment of clinical symptoms of VVC, it, quite similar to clotrimazole vaginal cream, did not affect vaginal culture.

Keywords: Clotrimazole; curcuma longa; curcumin; vulvovaginal candidiasis.