The effect of a vaginal suppository formulation of dill (Anethum graveolens) in comparison to clotrimazole vaginal tablet on the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Saghafi N, Karjalian M, Ghazanfarpour M, Khorsand I, Rakhshandeh H, Mirteimouri M, Babakhanian M, Khadivzadeh T, Najafzadeh MJ, Ghorbani A, Pourali L, Bahman S · Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology · 2018 March 19

DOI 10.1080/01443615.2018.1432578

Objective

To investigate the effect of Anethum graveolens (dill) vaginal suppositories compared to clotrimazole vaginal tablets on vulvovaginal Candidiasis in women.

Conclusions

The study found that 2% dill vaginal suppositories were as effective as 100 mg clotrimazole vaginal tablets in reducing clinical and microbiological symptoms of Candidiasis.

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Insights

In treating vulvovaginal candidiasis, 2% dill vaginal suppositories have been found as effective as clotrimazole vaginal tablets.

In this single centre, single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, 60 women with confirmed vulvovaginal candidiasis were randomly assigned to two groups: those using dill suppositories and those using clotrimazole tablets. The results showed that the impact of these two treatments on clinical and microbiological symptoms of the condition was similar. The estimated prevalence of leucorrhoea, burning, and itching was marginally higher in individuals using dill, while the clotrimazole group exhibited slightly lower results. The percentage of patients with positive culture was also insignificantly higher in suppository patients compared to clotrimazole-treated patients. These findings imply that dill suppositories could potentially serve as an effective alternative to clotrimazole tablets in managing vulvovaginal candidiasis.