The Effect of Rheum turkestanicum Janisch in the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence: A triple-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objectives

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition among women of reproductive age. Short-term antibiotic treatments are often clinically effective, but recurrence after treatment is frequent. The high recurrence rate and increasing antibiotic resistance highlight the need for new treatment methods. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a vaginal gel containing Rheum turkestanicum Janisch in comparison to metronidazole for the treatment and prevention of BV recurrence.

Study Design

This study was a randomized, triple-blinded, controlled trial involving 30 women. Married women aged 18 to 50 years who had been diagnosed with BV and did not meet any exclusion criteria were randomly allocated to the intervention or control groups. The intervention group received R. turkestanicum vaginal gel and R. turkestanicum capsules, while the control group received metronidazole vaginal gel and placebo capsules. Both groups underwent treatment for 7 days.

Main Outcome Measures

Variables such as demographic data, bacterial vaginosis patients’ signs and symptoms, Amsel’s criteria, and Nugent score were compared and examined before and after treatment with rhubarb and metronidazole in the patients.

Results

The initial assessment, conducted 10 days after treatment, showed significant improvement in each control and treatment group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. However, the evaluation of recurrence status 30 days later indicated that the intervention group (using R. turkestanicum vaginal gel and R. turkestanicum capsules) was significant to metronidazole in treating recurrence.

Conclusion

Rheum turkestanicum has the potential to be offered as a novel treatment for BV.