The Baofukang suppository, a Chinese medicine, shows promising antifungal activity against vulvovaginal candidiasis, enhancing local immune function and restoring the health of infected vaginal epithelial cells.
The researchers utilized a laboratory setting, specifically using a vaginal epithelial cell line known as VK2/E6E7. The Baofukang suppository was applied to these cells infected by Candida albicans. Observing the reaction, they notably recorded cytokine and chemokine responses, monitoring any up-regulation in these immune messages. Scanning electron microscopy was used to give a visual understanding of how C. albicans invades the cells and how the Baofukang suppository interrupts this process by inhibiting adhesion, hyphal formation, and proliferation of the fungal cells.
The results showed that the application of the Baofukang suppository to the infected VK2/E6E7 cells led to a significant increase in the production of crucial immunoregulatory cytokines and chemokines. Exceptions were IL-4, however, the secretion of non-B IgG followed the same increasing trend. The microscopy results revealed the inhibitory effects of the suppository on the adhesion, hyphal formation, and growth of C. albicans. Moreover, it was seen to notably restore morphology and viability of the vaginal epithelial cells, thereby enhancing local immune functions.
