Pulsatilla decoction (PD), a traditional Chinese medicine, inhibits Candida albicans, reducing inflammation, and downregulating genes and proteins linked to the Dectin-1 pathway in Vulvovaginal candidiasis treatment.
In the research methodology, ninety female BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into six different treatment groups, including a control group, a model group, three groups treated with varied doses of Pulsatilla Decoction (PD), and a Fluconazole group used as a positive control. The three PD groups received a daily intragastric gavage of PD at doses of 5, 10, and 20 g/kg respectively. Treatments were evaluated on Day 4, Day 7, and Day 14 by euthanizing five animals from each group and measuring Colony Forming Units (CFU), using serial dilution method, and evaluating infection through Gram staining, Periodic acid schiff (PAS) staining, Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Serum inflammation levels were determined using a Luminex assay, and gene and protein expression levels linked to Dectin-1 signaling pathway were determined by Real-time PCR, Western-blot, and immunohistochemistry.
The discussion of the results revealed that Pulsatilla Decoction significantly reduced the fungal load from Day 7 onwards and decreased the number of visible microorganisms according to Gram, PAS, and SEM stainings. Histological damages were improved in all three PD groups as evidenced by H&E staining. The treatment also resulted in a considerably lower level of IL-23 in the serum as well as a significant downregulation of Dectin-1, CARD9, and NF-κB mRNA levels, and Dectin-1, Syk, CARD9, and NF-κB protein levels. These results emphasize the potential of PD as a novel approach for treating Vulvovaginal candidiasis.
