Comparing the Effectiveness of Arnebia euchroma with ClotrimazoleVaginal Cream for the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Randomized Controlled Triple-Blind Trial

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the second most common cause of vulvovaginal infections. Due to the increasing resistance to synthetic antifungal drugs, the use of drugs with a natural origin is a priority. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of Arnebia euchroma with vaginal cream clotrimazole 1% United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This triple-blind trial study was performed on 112 women with diagnosed Candida vaginitis clinically and by a laboratory test, patients were randomly divided into two groups receiving Arnebia euchroma and vaginal clotrimazole (56 people per group) in clinics and medical centers Ahvaz (Iran) from April 2018 to April 2019. Clinical and laboratory symptoms were recorded at the beginning of the study and 1 week after the end of treatment by a researcher-made questionnaire. Data analysis were performed using SPSS software v-23. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: After the intervention, vaginal culture was negative in terms of Candida in 17 (36.17%) patients of the Amoeba euchroma group and 37 (69.81%) patients of the clotrimazole group. The Chi-square showed that there was a significant difference between the culture results in both groups (χ(2) = 10.10, df = 1, p = 0.001). No differences were observed between the two groups in terms of vaginal symptoms based on adjustment for age and using a logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: A vaginal cream containing Arnebia euchroma could reduce the complaints of vulvovaginal candidiasis. But, future studies with larger sample sizes and different dosages are recommended.