Abstract:

Objective To explore the curative effect of Rishuan lotion (the main component includes kushen) combined with clotrimazole on the treatment of murine vulvovaginal candidiasis. Methods A total of 95 BALB/c female rats (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups, including group A (n=5, blank control group), group B (n=30, model control group), group C (n=30, clotrimazole group) and group D (n=30, Rishuan lotion plus clotrimazole group). Mice in group B,C and D were inoculated with Candida albicans vagina. Mice in group A and B were given equal amount of normal saline to wash the vagina, while mice in group C and D were treated with clotrimazole, Rishuan lotion combined with clotrimazole, respectively. The weight changes of mice in each group were observed before and during the treatment. In group B,C and D, the vaginal lavage fluid was cultured at 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 14 and 16 days. The vaginal fungal load of mice was detected by coating method, and the levels of IL-2 and IL-8 were detected by ELISA. The expression of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 in the vaginal tissue of mice was detected by qRT-PCR. Results At the first 8 days, the weight of mice in the four groups remained stable. After inoculation, the weight of mice in group B,C and D decreased, and then gradually increased, which was close to the level before inoculation. Compared with group A, vaginal fungal load increased in group B, C and D. But there was a statistical difference in vaginal fungal load between group B, C and D. Vaginal fungal load in group D was less than that in group B and group C, while the load in in group C was less than that in group B. Compared with blank control group, IL-2 and IL-8 increased in vaginal lavage fluid of group B, C and D. However, there was a significant difference in the levels of IL-2 and IL-8 in group B, C and D after treatment. The levels of IL-2 and IL-8 in group D were significantly lower than those in group C, and the levels of IL-2 and IL-8 in group C were significantly lower than those in group B (P<0.01). Compared with the blank control group, the expression of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1mRNA in vagina tissue of group B, C and D was up-regulated. But there was a statistical difference among the three groups. The mRNA expression level in group B was higher than that in group C and group D, and the expression level in group C was higher than that in group D (P<0.01). Conclusion The effect of Rishuan lotion combined with clotrimazole on the treatment of murine vulvovaginal candidiasis was significant.

Key words: Rishuan lotion, clotrimazole, vaginal candidiasis, cytokine