Abstract
Purpose of the study.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vaginal candidiasis (VC) are usually managed with topical
antibiotics. This study compared the efficacy of a thymol + eugenol vaginal douche
(SD) (CAS nr. thymol: 89-83-8 and eugenol: 97-53-0), with econazole (CAS 27220-47-9)
in VC and metronidazole (CAS 443-48-1) in BV, as suppository reference therapies.
Thymol and eugenol are natural antibacterial and antimycotic active ingredients extracted
from plants.
Methods:
A multicentre, parallel group, randomized study was performed, after stratification
for diagnosis. Twenty-three Italian gynaecological units enrolled 459 patients (232
BV, 227 VC). The treatments applied were as follows: SD 1 douche/day (Saugella lavanda
Attiva®) for 1 week, 1 metronidazole vaginal suppository/night for 1 week and 1 econazole
vaginal suppository/night for 3 days. Clinical evaluations were performed before and
1 week after treatment.
Results:
A similar significant symptom reduction was observed with metronidazole and SD in
BV and with econazole and SD in VC.
Conclusion:
SD was found to be an effective prescription drug in minor recurrent vaginal infectious
episodes and its use can reduce the repeated exposure to antibiotics.
Key words
Bacterial vaginosis - Eugenol - Plant extracts - Thymol - Vaginal candidiasis - Vaginal
douche
