Effect of Rasaut in Bacterial vaginosis – A pre and post analysis study

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial syndrome having
alteration in the vaginal flora involving a decrease in Lactobacilli and
predominance of anaerobic bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus
species, Prevotella species, Mycoplasma hominis and Atopobium vaginae. BV
is the most common cause vaginal discharge in the reproductive aged women. Of
symptoms, a non-irritating, offensive fishy odor, homogenous white,
non-viscous vaginal discharge is characteristic.  But it may not
always be present as at least 50% of the patients are asymptomatic.The
prevalence of BV differs widely from country to country within the same
region and even within similar population groups, it has been estimated to be
in the range of 8% to 75%.Maximum incidence of vaginal discharge
seen was in the age group of 20-29 years. BV was found
significantly more in married females as compared to unmarried, and in women with sexual transmitted infections (STIs), who have recently
changed their sex partner, multiple sexual partner, cigarette smoking,
stress, low socioeconomic status (SES), use of intra uterine device (IUCD),
frequent vaginal douches, early age at first intercourse and black ethnicity. Women with BV have increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),
leading to infertility and abortions.

In conventional method, the first choice to treat reproductive tract infections according to different pathogens is antibiotics. Most of the drugs used are Metronidazole, Clotrimazole pessary and other antibiotics like doxycycline and Ciprofloxacin which causes side effects and which are effective temporarily, but the problem tends to recur once the medication is stopped.Further, antimicrobial resistance is increased rendering some regimen ineffective and the new agents are expensive. Thus, there is a need of new formulations with fewer side effects.

In Unani concept and view the symptoms of BV is similar to that of Saylan-al-Rahim and many drugs are available to treat Saylan-al-Rahim in Unani system of Medicine. After reviewing the literature, it has been decided to conduct a clinical study of Rasaut (Berberis aristata) on scientific parameters in patients with bacterial vaginosis.