Comparison of the efficacy of honey gel and clotrimazole cream in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis symptoms: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundReproductive tract infection is a global health problem among women, particularly in East Asia. Accordingly, researchers are seeking drugs with fewer side effects, compared to chemical agents. In this regard, the antifungal properties of honey have been confirmed.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to examine the effects of vaginal honey gel and clotrimazole cream on symptoms of candidiasis in 2014–2015.MethodsThis single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 106 patients with clinical complaints and positive cultures. The study was conducted in Tabriz clinics and health centers during 2014–2015. The participants were randomly divided into clotrimazole cream and honey gel groups (n, 53 per group) and were assessed both pretreatment and post treatment (before, 4 and 8 days after treatment). The results were analyzed and compared in IBM-SPSS version 22, using McNemar’s test, Cochran’s Q test, generalized mixed model, and independent-samples t-test. The significance level was set at 0.05.ResultsAt all 3 time intervals, significant reductions were observed in vaginal symptoms, compared to pretreatment due to the use of honey gel and clotrimazole cream (p<0.001). On the other hand, the culture results were similar, and there was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05).ConclusionHoney was effective in the treatment of candidiasis symptoms and could be used as an alternative or adjuvant for other antifungal drugs in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis symptoms.Clinical Trial RegistrationThis study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir) with the registration code IRCT201604144317N9.FundingThe authors received no financial support for the research.

Sweet Relief: Determining the Antimicrobial Activity of Medical Grade Honey Against Vaginal Isolates of Candida albicans

“…The contribution of honey in alleviating vaginal discomfort caused by Candida infections has been demonstrated in various in vivo studies where by day 8 fewer individuals suffered from symptoms including inflammation, vaginal discharge, itching, and dyspareunia in the honey group as compared to azole control groups [27,49,50]. The ointments evaluated in these studies consisted of either pure unprocessed honey or homogenous ointments with honey contents of 50–70% ( v / v ).…”

Augmentation of the Female Reproductive System Using Honey: A Mini Systematic Review

“…Two other studies used Iranian honey. Honey collected from the Ardebil City around Sabalan Mountain in north-western Iran (1315 m above sea level) was utilised in the study by [ 27 ]. A study by [ 16 ] used honey from the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiar Region of south-western Iran (2072 m above sea level).…”

“…HS also exhibited anti-fungal effects on vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) infections in humans. Honey in cream and gel formulation decreased discharge, inflammation and itching amongst patients with the infection [ 16 , 27 ]. It also reduced the rate of recurrent infections amongst women [ 16 ].…”

“…It also reduced the rate of recurrent infections amongst women [ 16 ]. The effects of HS were found to be comparable with clotrimazole (a standard treatment) in reducing the symptoms related to VVC [ 27 ].…”

Candidal vulvovaginitis in girls: clotrimazole as the drug of choice

“…Ожидаемым результатом лечения будет удаление возбудителя в целях устранения основных клинических проявлений либо в целях блокады размножения грибов на время действия одного из факторов, предрасполагающих к развитию кандидного поражения слизистых оболочек с профилактической целью. Одним из препаратов, который успешно применяется для терапии КВВ, является противогрибковое средство для местного применения из группы производных имидазола, к которым относится Клотримазол [10,11]. Механизм действия препарата связан с нарушением синтеза эргостерола (основной структурный компонент клеточной мембраны грибов), что изменяет проницаемость мембраны гриба, способствует выходу из клетки калия, внутриклеточных соединений фосфора и распаду клеточных нуклеиновых кислот.…”