calendula and Erythema

Vaginal dystrophy due to hypo-oestrogenism takes advantage of local and systemic oestrogens to balance the vaginal ecosystem and improve tissue hydration. Women who do not accept/tolerate hormone therapy can use intravaginal isoflavones to relieve vaginal dryness. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of a vaginal gel formulation containing isoflavones compared with no topical treatment in women with vaginal dystrophy.. In a multicentre, controlled, parallel-group study, menopausal women with vaginal dystrophy were randomized to vaginal gel (EG) or no topical treatment (NT) for 4 weeks. EG contained isoflavones, Lactobacillus sporogenes, Calendula officinalis extract and lactic acid (Estromineral Gel, Rottapharm-Madaus). All patients received daily oral isoflavones plus L. sporogenes. Clinical evaluations were performed at time 0, 2 and 4 weeks.. 186 women were recruited, 103 in the EG group and 83 in the NT group, mean age 53.7 years, postmenopausal for 4.1 years. The severity of itching, burning, vulvovaginal erythema, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia were significantly reduced during EG treatment compared with the NT group.. The combination of oral and topical isoflavones was shown to be more effective than oral treatment alone in reducing the problems of postmenopausal vaginal dystrophy.

Topics: Aging; Biological Products; Calendula; Combined Modality Therapy; Dietary Supplements; Erythema; Female; Gels; Glycine max; Humans; Isoflavones; Lactobacillus; Middle Aged; Pain; Postmenopause; Pruritus; Time Factors; Vagina; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; Vaginal Diseases

This study assessed the potential of topical Calendula officinalis extract on the healing of oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in hamsters.. Oral mucositis was induced in 60 male hamsters by 5-FU (60 mg/kg) on days 0, 5, and 10 of the study. The cheek pouch was scratched with a sterile needle on days 1 and 2. On days 12-17, 5% and 10% C. officinalis gel and gel base groups were treated and then compared with a control group. Macroscopic and microscopic scores and weights were evaluated.. Microscopic and macroscopic scores of mucositis were lower in the 5% and 10% C. officinalis gel groups than in the gel base and control groups (P < .05). Weight gain was noted in the treatment groups compared with the gel base and control groups (P < .05).. Calendula officinalis extract accelerated the healing of oral mucositis in hamsters.

Topics: Abscess; Animals; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; Calendula; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Cricetinae; Drug Carriers; Erythema; Fluorouracil; Gels; Hyperemia; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Mesocricetus; Mouth Diseases; Mouth Mucosa; Oral Hemorrhage; Oral Ulcer; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Re-Epithelialization; Single-Blind Method; Stomatitis; Time Factors; Weight Gain; Wound Healing