Abstract:

Objective To study the effects of Butyl alcohol extract of BaiTouWeng decoction (BAEB) on vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in murine model.Methods Seventy-two female mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,BAEB high-dose group,BAEB middle-dose group,BAEB low-dose group,and fluconazole group.The mice were firstly injected with estradiol to induce oestrum,and then intravaginally administrated with 2×10⁶ CFU/mL Candida albicans.After 7-day treatment,The fungal load (CFU/mL) was assessed from vaginal lavage fluid,the pathological changes of vaginal tissues were observed by HE staining.The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in vaginal tissues were detected by ELISA.The mRNA expressions of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 were analyzed by qRT-PCR.Results Compared with the normal group,the vaginal mucosa of the model group was completely destroyed,and the infiltrations of plenty of inflammatory cells were observed.Compared with the model group,BAEB groups showed improvements to varying degrees.The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.001).The mRNA expressions of TLR2,TLR4,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 were up-regulated significantly (P<0.001).The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the BAEB groups were much lower than those in the control group (P<0.001).Conclusion The BAEB could be used to treat the vulvovaginal candidiasis in mice.

Key words: vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), NLRP3 inflammasome, Butyl alcohol extract of BaiTouWeng (BAEB), Candida albicans