The n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla Decoction effectively treats vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by Candida glabrata by reducing inflammation and down-regulating the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway.
In the methodology, the study conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments to analyze the effects of the n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla Decoction (BEPD) on Candida glabrata. The constituents of BEPD were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography, measuring Anemoside B4, Epiberberine, Berberine, Aesculin, Aesculetin, Phellodendrine, and Jatrorrhizine. In vitro, experiments focused on the extract's ability to inhibit Candida glabrata's growth, adhesion, biofilm formation and effect on the expression of efflux transporters in biofilm state.
Moving onto the results, in vivo experiments showed that n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla Decoction significantly reduced the severity of the vaginal inflammatory manifestation in mice infected with VVC caused by Candida glabrata. The extract also suppressed the release of proinflammatory cytokines and LDH. Furthermore, the extract was observed to inhibit the Phosphorylation of several proteins including EGFR, ERK, P38, P65, and C-Fos. This demonstrates the potential of the extract to reduce vaginal inflammation by modulating the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway in VVC caused by Candida glabrata.
