Human papilloma virus (HPV) is present in 99% of cervical cancers.
Common treatments include trichloroacetic acid, topical 5% imiquimod, 5‐fluorouracil, interferons, and surgical methods such as laser ablation, cavitational ultrasonic ablation, cryoablation, and electrocautery.
Recent estimates by the World Health Organization have suggested that more than 70% of the population in many countries use complementary and alternative medicine including herbal medicine.
Preclinical research has reported that extracts of Myrtle has antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus.
A study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research evaluated myrtle (Myrtus communis) for treating cervicovaginal HPV infection.
Study details
Design: Double blind randomized placebo controlled
Subjects: 60 women age 18 to 50 years told
Diagnosis: Cervicovaginal HPV infection
Treatment: Vaginal suppository was given for 3 months. This was 20 suppositories each menstrual cycle.
Drug: Myrtle water extract 10% and 0.5% myrtle essential oil.
Here are the main results
– Patients receiving Myrtle for 3 months were 93% negative for HPV while patients receiving placebo were 63% negative. (p = 0.036).
Here are more clinical trials with plant medicine.
– Myrtle decreased cervical lesion size by 71.% while placebo decreased by 30.4%
Here is what the authors had to say
The results showed that the myrtle vaginal suppository was effective in HPV clearance (92.6%) compared with placebo (68%) and in improving the lesions of the cervix and vagina in the drug and placebo groups with responses of 71.4% and 30.4%, respectively.
And
The vaginal suppository used in this study contained 10% of the extract and 0.5% essential oil of myrtle leaves.
And
It is recommended that the efficacy of the drug be examined in patients with persistent HPV infections or high‐grade cervical dysplasia after standard treatment and the efficacy of plant components on HPV in the next studies.
And
In conclusion, myrtle vaginal suppository could increase virus clearance and improve lesions of the cervix and the vagina with no serious side effects. It seems that some of the proven properties of M. communis, such as antioxidants, antiviral, proapoptotic, and antimutagenic activities, can be effective in treating HPV infection and its related diseases.
Reference
The efficacy of vaginal suppository based on myrtle in patients with cervicovaginal human papillomavirus infection: A randomized, double-blind, placebo trial. Phytotherapy Research. 2018; Volume 32 (Issue 10): pages 2002-2008.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Clinical Trials, Infection, Inflammation, Plant Medicine