Pulsatilla suppository prevents recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in a rat model via the TLR/MyD88/NLRP3 signaling pathway

Zhang H, Li C, Wu H, Li Z, Wu D, Shao J, Wang T, Wang C · Fitoterapia · 2024 December

DOI 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106250

Objective

To investigate the development of a Pulsatilla suppository containing the n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction (BEPD) for the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC).

Conclusions

The Pulsatilla suppository containing BEPD showed stability, safety, and efficacy in reducing vaginal fungal load, neutrophil infiltration, and inflammatory factors in RVVC model rats, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic option.

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Insights

The Pulsatilla suppository, made using a traditional Chinese medicine extract, shows promising results in treating fungal infections caused by Candida albicans.

The study prepared a Pulsatilla suppository containing the n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction. Its qualities like performance, weight, drug content, dissolution time and percentage, stability, and toxicology were thoroughly evaluated, and the formulation was melted completely within 30 minutes. Biological compatibility tests and clinical evaluations were also implemented using female Sprague-Dawley rats. The Pulsatilla suppository demonstrated in vitro anti-C. albicans activity and displayed stability and safety throughout the experiments. Compared to rats with induced vulvovaginal candidiasis, rats treated with high-dose Pulsatilla suppositories showed a significant reduction in vaginal fungal load. The suppository also alleviated neutrophil infiltration and decreased the level of TLR/MyD88 pathway-related proteins, indicating a reduction in inflammation.