Document Type : Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT)

Authors

1 School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran

2 Institute of Biological Sciences, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran

3 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Science, Karaj, Iran

4 Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

5 Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

6 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

7 Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Hamedan branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Vaginal microbiota are believed to profoundly impact the overall quality of life. Moreover, reduced levels of circulating estrogen are responsible for the majority of the changes in the genital tract in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of E. angustifolia (EA) on the genitourinary system in postmenopausal women.
Methods: In this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 58 postmenopausal women to one of the two medicinal herb-receiving (15 g of whole EA fruit powder) and placebo-receiving (7.5 g of isomalt+7.5 g of cornstarch) groups. Initially and after 10 weeks of the treatment, urinalysis, vaginal microbial culture, and vaginal pH measurement were carried out. This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the code of IRCT20170227032795N4. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using the Chi-square and the ANCOVA tests, respectively.
Results: The findings revealed that a 10-week treatment with EA had no significant effects on urine pH (5.733±1.014; P=0.728), specific gravity (1.022±0.006; P=0.438), as well as the count of red blood cells (1.533±2.562; P=0.080), white blood cells (3.750±7.109; P=0.349), and epithelial cells (2.116±1.798; P=0.595), and the qualitative parameters, including protein (P=0.612), blood (P=0.261), nitrite (P=0.483), bacteria (P=0.179), and mucus (P=0.564).
Conclusion: Oral consumption of EA did not significantly change the studied parameters. Thus, further studies with larger sample sizes, longer duration, subjects of different age groups, and other routes of administration could be suggested.

Highlights

How to Cite: Rezaei A, Badehnoosh B, Mohammadbeigi M, Qorbani M, Emaminia F, Mohammadyari AR, Jalalvand F. Effects of Oral Use of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. on the Genitourinary Laboratory Findings in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial. Women. Health. Bull. 2023;10(1):1-12. doi: 10.30476/whb.2023.97069.1203.

Keywords

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