Effect of Unani Formulation in Cervicitis (Warme-unqur-rahm): A Single-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Polyherbal Unani formulations (PHUFs) with placebo in Warmeunqur-rahm (Cervicitis). Methods: A Randomized single-blind placebo controlled trial was designed to compare the efficacy of Unani formulations against placebo in diagnosed cases of cervicitis in the Department of Gynaecology of Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College, Delhi. Sixty married female participants with age group of 18-40 years having symptoms of cervicitis with no systemic illness and sexually transmitted diseases and not using oral or intrauterine contraceptives were randomly allocated to receive either test drug (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for three months. In the test group, sufoofe sailan (PHUF) 5 gm orally was given twice daily and intravaginally humul (pessary) of isapghol (Isapgol: Plantago ovata Forsk) and alsi (Linseed: Linum usitatissimum L.) soaked in arqe gulab (rose water) was kept at mid-cycle for 10 days for three consecutive cycles and the placebo was given for same protocol. On the basis of improvement in subjective and objective parameters the response of treatment was graded as cured, improved and not cured. Results were analyzed by Chi-square/Fisher Exact test and Student t test. Results: There was a significant improvement in the subjective and objective parameters in test group after treatment with P < 0.001. Cervical discharge, cervical erythema and cervical oedema were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) after three months of treatment. Interpretation and conclusion: Study revealed that test drug formulations were effective and safe in the management of cervicitis. Besides, the trial should be conducted on large sample size for effectiveness of drug.