title: A comparison of the efficacy of metronidazole vaginal gel and Myrtus (Myrtus communis) extract combination and metronidazole vaginal gel alone in the treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Due to the high incidence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and its resistance to chemical medications and considering the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects ofMyrtus communis,the present study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of the vaginal gel ofM. communis2% (in metronidazole base) with metronidazole vaginal gel 0.75% alone on BV.
  
  
  METHODS
  This research was a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted on 80 women of 18-40 years old with BV. Patients were divided into two groups of 40 women. Diagnostic criteria were Amsel's criteria and Gram staining. The first group received vaginal gel of metronidazole plusM. communis2% and the second group received metronidazole vaginal gel alone for five consecutive nights. Therapeutic effects and Amsel's criteria were assessed after one week. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS 16 usingt-testand Chi square tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference in the therapeutic response between the two groups. The results demonstrated that the combination of metronidazole andM. communishad a higher efficiency (p<0.05). The patients receivingM. communisin metronidazole gel base did not experience any recurrent BV, but 30% of patients taking metronidazole alone faced recurrent BV after three weeks of follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings of the study suggested that addingM. communisextract to metronidazole increases the efficiency of BV treatment.
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Mansoureh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masoudi
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafieian Kopaei
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Sepideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miraj
keywords: Bacterial vaginosis; Metronidazole; Myrtus communis