Therapeutic Effect of 48 h after Nigella sativa Extract Administration on Female Wistar Rats Vaginal Candidiasis Model: An Experimental Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans was the common causes of vulvovaginalis candidiasis (VVC) in human. To avoid complications, prompt and proper treatment of VVC must be performed. The pharmacological effects of Nigella sativa include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulation, and anti-cancer properties. AIM: N. sativa has been shown to have an in vivo antifungal effect and the purpose of this study was to determine the antifungal and potential in vivo therapeutic effects. METHODS: This research was an empirical study which evaluated the therapeutic effect of the vaginal candidiasis model of N. sativa in rats. The subjects were 28 rats inoculated with C. albicans and were divided into four groups: Control group (G1), fluconazole group (G2), N. sativa group (G3), and N. sativa and fluconazole group combinations (G4). The colony of C. albicans was assessed to determine the treatment’s therapeutic effect. RESULTS: There was no difference in the number of colonies of C. albicans between all the pre-inoculation (p = 0.274) and post-inoculation (p = 0.323) classes. A substantial decrease in the number of C. albicans colonies within 48 h of treatment was observed between the three control group treatment forms (N. sativa group p = 0.046; fluconazole group p = 0.002; and N. sativa + fluconazole group p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic effect of N. sativa has been achieved by reducing the number of colonies of C. albicans.