-
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Feb 2024The genus Alchemilla L. (lady's mantle) comprises 1000 species, of which more than 300 have been characterized from Europe. Notably, as folk medicines, Alchemilla... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
The genus Alchemilla L. (lady's mantle) comprises 1000 species, of which more than 300 have been characterized from Europe. Notably, as folk medicines, Alchemilla species have long been prescribed for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, pruritus vulvae, menopausal complaints, and related diseases in women. This review summarizes the traditional uses, highlights promising plant species, and focuses on phytochemical and biological studies to highlight future areas of research.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Alchemilla species, covering their botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological and pharmacological activities, and to summarize the current research status to better understand the application value of Alchemilla plants in modern phytotherapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The search strategy utilized the major thematic platforms Reaxys, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, the USDA Plant Database and Kew Science (Royal Botanic Gardens) and was performed with the term Alchemilla. These platforms were systematically searched for articles published from 1960 to 2023.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Alchemilla species, as members of the Rosaceae family, produce tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins, triterpenes and violet compounds. Effort has been made with this comprehensive review of Alchemilla plants to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in modern phytochemistry and phytotherapy, underlaying a broad spectrum of the activities of these plants, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antiobesity, cardiovascular, anticancer, and wound healing effects.
CONCLUSIONS
An increasing number of studies on the plants in the Alchemilla genus have provided data about the main constituents and their importance in modern medicine. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that Alchemilla plants possess an extensive spectrum of biological activities. Regardless of the remarkable medical potential of Alchemilla extracts, clinical studies are limited and need to be performed to produce safer and less expensive plant-based drugs.
Topics: Female; Humans; Ethnopharmacology; Plants, Medicinal; Alchemilla; Rosaceae; Anthocyanins; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 37981119
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117439 -
Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted... 2022Syringomas commonly occur in women over the face, neck, and chest. They are usually asymptomatic and mainly of cosmetic concern. The vulva is an uncommon site for...
Syringomas commonly occur in women over the face, neck, and chest. They are usually asymptomatic and mainly of cosmetic concern. The vulva is an uncommon site for syringomas. A 45-year-old woman had asymptomatic lesions over the face, of 28 years duration and presented with vulvar papules, associated with severe pruritus for the past 2 months. Clinical and histopathological examination confirmed them to be syringomas. Coexistent facial and vulvar syringomas are rare. Further, vulvar syringomas presenting as pruritus vulvae is still rarer. We report a case with severe pruritus vulvae causing sufficient distress to seek medical care, which is remarkably unusual.
PubMed: 35846546
DOI: 10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_1_20 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Jul 2020White lesions of the vulva are a common vulvar disease of unclear etiology. Although a variety of treatments have been used to treat the disease in clinical practice,... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
White lesions of the vulva are a common vulvar disease of unclear etiology. Although a variety of treatments have been used to treat the disease in clinical practice, there is currently a lack of effective radical therapies. This study aimed to compare the feasibility and effectiveness of fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser with that of high-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of white lesions of the vulva.
METHODS
A total of 60 patients with pruritus vulvae who were treated at the Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Diseases in our hospital between December, 2017, and December 2018 were enrolled in this study. The possibility of malignant lesions of the vulva was ruled out by histopathological diagnosis following colposcopic biopsy. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: a laser treatment group (group L, n=30) and a focused ultrasound treatment group (group U, n=30). The patients were monitored for changes in signs and symptoms during and after treatment, and the treatment outcomes of the two groups were compared.
RESULTS
The local symptoms of pruritus were alleviated by both the fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser and high-intensity focused ultrasound. The patients in group L had no significant adverse reactions during the operation and needed no special postoperative treatment. The total effective rate in group L was 96.7%. In group U, five patients felt mild burning during the operation, painful blisters arose on the skin of the ablated area, and long-lasting local edema was observed. Seven patients had subcutaneous nodules. The total effective rate in group U was 90.0%.
CONCLUSIONS
Fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser is a minimally invasive, effective, and safe treatment for white lesions of the vulva. It causes few complications and does not affect the daily and working life of patients. Therefore, it should be widely applied in clinical practice.
Topics: Female; Humans; Lasers, Gas; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Vulva
PubMed: 32762229
DOI: 10.21037/apm-20-1085 -
Clinical Case Reports Jul 2020Our case highlights the need to perform a skin biopsy in patients presenting with persistent vulvar itching, especially if they have not responded to conventional...
Our case highlights the need to perform a skin biopsy in patients presenting with persistent vulvar itching, especially if they have not responded to conventional treatment for benign conditions.
PubMed: 32695391
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.2862 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Feb 2020In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar pruritus is thus a common symptom that often markedly impairs the affected women's quality of life.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications that were retrieved by a selective search in MEDLINE/PubMed for articles on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of vul- var pruritus. The search terms were (in German and English) "vulvärer Juckreiz," "pruritus vulvae," and "genital itch," alone and in combination with "Behandlung," "Therapie," or "treat- ment."
RESULTS
The most common cause of vulvar pruritus is vulvo- vaginal candidiasis followed by chronic dermatoses, such as lichen sclerosus and vulvar eczema. Especially in refractory cases, an invasive or preinvasive lesion such as squamous epithelial dysplasia (VIN, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia) should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis. Rarer causes include infection, atrophy, and vulvodynia. The essen- tial elements of treatment are topical/oral antimycotic drugs and high-potency glucocorticoids, along with consistently ap- plied, basic moisturizing care and the avoidance of potential triggering factors.
CONCLUSION
As vulvar pruritus has multiple causes, standard- ization of its diagnostic evaluation and treatment would be l efficacy and to meet the diverse needs of women who suffer from this condition.
Topics: Female; Germany; Humans; Pruritus Vulvae
PubMed: 32181734
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0126 -
Molecular and Clinical Oncology Nov 2018Invasive Paget's disease of the vulva (IP) is rare among patients with vulvar cancer. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are not considered as radical, whereas surgical...
Invasive Paget's disease of the vulva (IP) is rare among patients with vulvar cancer. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are not considered as radical, whereas surgical resection of the tumor with abdominal lymphadenectomy is highly invasive. Thus, more effective and less invasive treatments for IP are required. The present study reports a case of a 64-year-old woman with IP, who was treated with a combination of surgery and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). The patient was diagnosed with IP with suspected lymph node metastases to the inguinal and pelvic lymph nodes, after having suffered from pruritus vulvae for 7 years. Following mapping biopsy, wide local excision, bilateral inguinal lymph node resection and laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy were successfully performed. The vulva was reconstructed with a local fat flap. Postoperative pathological examination revealed metastases to the bilateral superficial inguinal and the left obturator and lateral suprainguinal lymph nodes. Adjuvant CCRT (whole pelvic irradiation, 50.4 Gy with weekly cisplatin, 40 mg/m) was completed without notable complications. Therefore, laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy may be useful in determining the irradiation field for adjuvant CCRT in patients with advanced IP.
PubMed: 30402231
DOI: 10.3892/mco.2018.1719 -
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... Feb 2018
Topics: Child; Female; Foreign Bodies; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pruritus Vulvae; Tissue Adhesions; Vagina; Vaginal Discharge
PubMed: 29458893
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2017.12.030 -
Menopause (New York, N.Y.) Feb 2018Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is characterized by vaginal changes, dyspareunia, and itching/irritation. Efficacy and safety of a lower-dose estradiol vaginal cream (0.003%)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized, multicenter, double-blind study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of estradiol vaginal cream 0.003% in postmenopausal women with dyspareunia as the most bothersome symptom.
OBJECTIVE
Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is characterized by vaginal changes, dyspareunia, and itching/irritation. Efficacy and safety of a lower-dose estradiol vaginal cream (0.003%) were evaluated in postmenopausal women with VVA-related dyspareunia.
METHODS
This was a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Sexually active postmenopausal women with moderate-severe dyspareunia as the most bothersome symptom, ≤5% vaginal superficial cells, and vaginal pH >5.0 were randomized (1:1) to 0.003% estradiol vaginal cream (15 μg estradiol; 0.5 g cream) or placebo (0.5 g cream) applied daily for 2 weeks followed by three applications/week for 10 weeks. Coprimary outcomes were changes in dyspareunia severity, vaginal cytology, and vaginal pH from baseline to final assessment. Additional efficacy outcomes and safety were assessed.
RESULTS
A total of 550 participants (average age, 58 y) were randomized. Compared with placebo, estradiol reduced dyspareunia severity (mean change from baseline ± SD: -1.5 ± 1.0 estradiol vs -1.2 ± 0.9 placebo), decreased vaginal pH (-1.36 ± 0.89 vs -0.53 ± 0.92), and improved vaginal cytology (percentage superficial and parabasal cells 10.1 ± 16.7 vs 1.4 ± 6.1 and -48.5 ± 45.1 vs -14.6 ± 39.6; P < 0.001, all) at the final assessment. In addition, estradiol decreased dyspareunia severity at weeks 8 and 12, vaginal/vulvar irritation/itching at weeks 4 and 12, and dryness at week 12 versus placebo (P < 0.01, all). VVA severity, pH, and cytology improved at week 12 with estradiol versus placebo (P < 0.001, all). Vulvovaginal mycotic infections were more frequent with estradiol. One serious event leading to discontinuation occurred with estradiol. No deaths occurred.
CONCLUSIONS
Lower-dose estradiol vaginal cream (0.003%) dosed three applications/week is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for VVA-related dyspareunia.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Aged; Atrophy; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Double-Blind Method; Dyspareunia; Estradiol; Estrogens; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Pruritus Vulvae; Severity of Illness Index; Vagina; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; Vulva
PubMed: 28926514
DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000985 -
Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted... 2017According to the World Health Organization criteria, geriatric population is people above 60 years of age. In this phase of life, a woman has already gone through...
BACKGROUND
According to the World Health Organization criteria, geriatric population is people above 60 years of age. In this phase of life, a woman has already gone through menopause and its associated emotional, physical, and hormonal changes. These changes are due to gradual loss of estrogen that comes with menopause which results in dramatic changes in the appearance of vulva and vagina. With age, skin of vulva becomes thin, loses elasticity, and moisture so that the patient starts feeling burning and itchy sensation. The normal acidic pH changes to basic which alters the flora and makes the person prone to other bacterial infections. Apart from infections, there are many other dermatological and nondermatological causes of vulvar itching in this age group such as eczema, contact dermatitis, lichen planus (LP), lichen sclerosus atrophicans, lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), prolapse, incontinence, and carcinoma. The aim is to diagnose the causes of pruritus vulvae in the geriatric age group to decrease the misery of these patients.
METHODS
We selected 40 consecutive females of age group ranging from 60 to 75 years coming to skin OPD with the complaint of pruritus of vulvar region over a period of 1 year. Clinical examination, complete blood count, fasting blood sugar, wet mount, pap smear, and skin biopsy were done in every case.
RESULTS
Out of the forty patients who were included in this study, 17 (42.5%) were diagnosed as a case of LSC and 11 (27.5%) patients had atrophic vaginitis. Three (7.5%) patients presented with tinea. Three (7.5%) cases were clinically diagnosed as scabies. Another 2 (5%) cases were diagnosed as LP and was seen in other 2 (5%) cases. 1 (2.5%) case was diagnosed as bacillary vaginosis and 1 (2.5%) patient was of lichen sclerosus.
CONCLUSION
Pruritus vulvae of geriatric age group are of diverse etiology, therefore, treatment based on precise diagnosis is of prime importance.
PubMed: 28442799
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7184.192632 -
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic... Apr 2016Anogenital pruritus is defined as intense itching, acute or chronic, affecting the anal, perianal, perineal and genital skin, which is a dominant problem in the course... (Review)
Review
Anogenital pruritus is defined as intense itching, acute or chronic, affecting the anal, perianal, perineal and genital skin, which is a dominant problem in the course of various cutaneous and systemic conditions. It is one of the common, extremely annoying symptom for which patients attend the Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD). Anogenital skin is highly sensitive to soaps, perfumes, clothing and superficial trauma and it is more prone for itchy dermatoses as a result of warmth, friction, lack of aeration, sweating and occlusive inner garments. Anogenital pruritus is associated with a wide spectrum of diseases which includes localized infections, infestations, inflammatory dermatoses, allergic and irritant conditions, anorectal diseases, systemic causes, nutritional disorders, psychological and when the cause cannot be found out it is often termed idiopathic. Patients are highly reluctant in consulting the physician for anogenital itch in the early stage, they usually present at a later stage with either atypical manifestations or depigmentation and lichenification, secondary to constant scratching. They often resort to over the counter topical agents, particularly combination products which contain topical steroids. The irrational use of such products results in complications like skin atrophy, striae, incognito etc. A proper clinical history, clinical examination, investigations like scrapping for fungus and itch mite, skin biopsy, patch test and relevant blood investigations to rule out systemic conditions should be carried out, when needed, to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, before treating the patient.
PubMed: 27190932
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/18440.7703