Comparing the effect of ferula oral capsule and metronidazole oral pill on improvement of clinical signs of infection by Trichomonas Vaginalis: A Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Vaginitis is a general term for vaginal disorders which is caused due to infection, inflammation or a change in the normal vaginal flora. Trichomonas vaginalis is the third most common cause of vaginitis. Antibacterial, antifungal and anti trichomoniasis effects of ferula have been shown by in vitro and in vivo studies. This study was performed with aim to compare the effects of ferula oral capsule and metronidazole oral pill on improving clinical symptoms of trichomonas vaginalis infection. Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 70 non-pregnant women referred to gynecology clinics of Imam Reza and Ommolbanin hospitals due to vaginal infection symptoms in 2019. The subjects were placed in two groups: ferula and metronidazole. Trichomoniasis vaginalis infection was detected by wet smear test. Oral ferula capsule was prescribed to ferula group and oral metronidazole tablet to second group for 7 days. Data were collected by observation and interview forms. Data were analyzed by paired and independent t-tests, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Mcnemar and Wilcoxon tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The findings of the study indicated that improvement of clinical symptoms was 100% in the ferula group and 40% in the metronidazole group ( p<0.001).14 cases (40 %) of metronidazole group had drug side effects including digestive disorders (54.3%) and nausea (45.7%). In ferula group, none of cases showed side effects (p<0.001). Moreover, 19 cases in metronidazole group (54.3%) and all in ferula group (100%) were agree to reuse the medicine or to suggest it to others (p<0.001). Conclusion: The improvement percentage in clinical symptoms caused by oral ferula capsule is higher than oral metronidazole tablet. Therefore, by performing further studies, ferula capsule can be a replacement for metronidazole in order to improve the clinical symptoms of Trichomonas vaginalis infection for.

Keywords

• anti-parasite
• complementary medicine
• ferula
• metronidazole
• trichomonas vaginalis
• vaginal infection