Research Progress in the Treatment of Vaginitis With Bioactive Compounds: Targeting of Vaginal Microflora

Vaginitis, a common gynecological ailment among women, poses a considerable health challenge with high recurrence rates even after conventional treatment. Vaginitis includes more common forms, such as bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), and less common forms, including senile vaginitis, infantile vaginitis, viral vaginitis, and mixed vaginitis. Conventional treatment approaches for vaginitis involve medications, such as metronidazole and clindamycin; however, long-term use of these agents raises concerns about adverse reactions, disruption of the vaginal ecosystem, and antibiotic resistance. Bioactive compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), known for their lower toxicity and multifaceted biological activity, are effective for treating vaginitis with fewer side effects and a focus on restoring a healthy vaginal microecology. TCM decoctions exhibit internal effectiveness, while local TCM treatments utilize external medications and modalities, such as irrigation and fumigation sitz baths. This review offers insights to guide vaginitis treatment and provides a theoretical foundation for the development and application of herbal therapies for vaginitis.