Antimicrobial Effect of Unani Polyherbal Formulation Used for Vaginal Discharge Syndrome Against Different Microbial Pathogens
Hina Meraj, Abiha Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Rashid, Sumbul Rehman, Syeda Aamena Naazintroduction:
Vaginal discharge is a common concern among patients visiting gynecological clinics. In Unani medicine, the symptoms related to vaginal discharge are categorized as Sailan ul-Mani (leucorrhea) refers to an excessive normal discharge from the uterus, while Sailan ur-Rehm (vaginal discharge) describes an infectious discharge from the uterus. To address these conditions, many Unani medications, both in single and compound forms, have been documented in traditional texts. However, very few of these remedies have undergone reassessment to evaluate their effectiveness according to accepted scientific standards.
materials and methods:
Crude drugs, including Baboona, Marzanjosh, Mako, and Qaisoom, were dried and powdered before being extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus with 95% ethanol. The extracts from these drugs were tested in vitro against five Gram-positive and four Gram-negative vaginal pathogens. The testing utilized both the agar well diffusion method and the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was compared to a standard treatment for the same pathogens.
results:
The antimicrobial activity results showed that the test drug extract demonstrated a higher sensitivity towards C. xerosis, E. coli, and MRSA. In contrast, strains such as S. aureus, B. cereus, P. viridans, and K. pneumoniae exhibited moderate susceptibility to the treatment. However, P. aeruginosa displayed resistance to the extracts.
discussion:
The findings suggest that hydroethanolic extracts can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria associated with vaginal discharge in women, showing varying levels of potency. The antibacterial activity of the tested plants—Origanum majorana, Matricaria chamomilla, Achillea fragrantissima, and Solanum nigrum—can be attributed to a diverse array of bioactive compounds. These include thymol and carvacrol, α-bisabolol, bisabolol oxides, solasodine-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, α-thujone, β-thujone, and piperitone, each contributing to their antimicrobial properties through distinct mechanisms of action.
conclusion:
The study highlights the promising potential of plant-based remedies as alternative or complementary treatments for vaginal infections, especially given the increasing concern over antibiotic resistance. These plants' antibacterial qualities are fueled by a variety of bioactive substances that impact several cellular functions, including the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell membrane rupture, and bio film inhibition. Nonetheless, additional research is essential to refine the concentration, formulation, and delivery methods of these extracts to improve their effectiveness in clinical settings.