Extract of Sophorae flavescentis radix-Cnidii fructus couplet medicines treats vulvovaginal candidiasis by affecting the vaginal mucosal barrier.

This study investigated the inhibition of extract of couplet medicines (ESCC) on () and the effect of ESCC on the vaginal mucosal barrier . Susceptibility testing was performed with SC5314. A vulvovaginal candidiasis mouse model was successfully established. The plate method, Gram staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining and ELISA were used to detect relevant inflammatory indexes: IFN-γ, IL-1 and TNF-α. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were used to detect mucosal immune-related factors: MUC1, MUC4, DEFB1 and DEFB2. ESCC was able to inhibit the proliferative activity of , and it affected inflammation-related factors and indicators of vaginal mucosal immunity. ESCC showed potential value in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.