Randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of the vaginal use of metronidazole with a Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus) extract for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis

A 7.4 percent vaginal extract of the Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) was compared with 0.75 percent vaginal metronidazole, both manufactured by the Hebron Laboratory, for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, used at bedtime for 7 nights. The condition was diagnosed using the combined criteria of Amsel and Nugent in two groups of 140 and 137 women, aged between 18 and 40 years. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Women were excluded from the study if they presented delayed menstruation, were pregnant, were using or had used any topical or systemic medication, presented any other vaginal infections, presented hymen integrity, or if they reported any history suggestive of acute pelvic inflammatory disease. According to Amsel’s criteria separately, 29 patients (21.2 percent) treated with the extract and 87 (62.1 percent) treated with metronidazole were considered to be cured (P < 0.001). According to Nugent’s score separately, 19 women (13.9 percent) treated with the extract and 79 (56.4 percent) treated with metronidazole were considered to be cured (P < 0.001). Using the two criteria together, the so-called total cure was observed in 17 women (12.4 percent) treated with the extract and in 79 women (56.4 percent) treated with metronidazole (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the cure rate for bacterial vaginosis using a vaginal gel from a pepper tree extract was lower than the rate obtained with metronidazole gel, while side effects were infrequent and non-severe in both groups.

Uso do promestriene por via vaginal: avaliaçäo da colpocitologia hormonal, dos níveis plasmáticos de gonadotrofinas e estradiol em mulheres na menopausa: análise da eficácia e tolerabilidade / Use of promestrien by intravaginal route: evaluation of hormonal colpocytology, plasma levels of gonadotrophins and estradiol in menopausal women: analysis of effectiveness and tolerability

Os autores estudaram os efeitos da administraçäo do promestriene por via vaginal em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Um grupo de 14 pacientes recebeu a droga em regime de administraçäo diária, contínua, por 60 dias. Um segundo grupo, com 16 pacientes, foi tratado em regime de administraçäo diária, contínua, por 20 dias e, a seguir, três vezes por semana por mais 40 dias. Analisaram a evoluçäo da colpocitologia hormonal e dos níveis de gonadotrofinas, bem como a tolerabilidade e eficácia da medicaçao ao longo do estudo. Concluem ser o promestriene um agente antiatrófico vaginal efetivo, sem produzir alteraçöes dos níveis plasmáticos de gonadotrofinas e estradiol. Nao observaram diferenças estatísticas nos dois regimes de administraçäo estudados.