Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn, and cream of Lawsonia inermis Linn and Plumbi oxidum with placebo in the healing of erosion and relief of symptoms in cervical erosion with cervicitis.
Materials and methods: A randomized placebo controlled single blind study was carried out in the Department of Gynecology at the National Institute of Unani Medicine. Clinically diagnosed patients (n = 45) were randomized to the test (n = 30) and control (n = 15) groups. The inclusion criteria were the married patients aged 18–40 years with symptoms of cervical erosion associated cervicitis. The exclusion criteria were the unmarried, pregnant and lactating patients; use of oral or intrauterine contraceptive devices, sexually transmitted diseases and systemic diseases. In the test Group, Safoof Mundi (Flower of S. indicus Linn) was administered 6 g orally in three divided doses and 5 g cream of Henna (leaves of L. inermis Linn) with Murdarsang (P. oxidum) was applied intra-vaginally twice daily for 9 weeks. The placebo was given for the same duration. The outcome measures were to assess healing of erosion and relief of symptoms. The results were analyzed by Fisher exact and Student ‘t’ test. Results: In the test group, 8 (26.7%) patients demonstrated complete healing of erosion, where as none of the patient had healing in the control group with P < 0.05, statistically significant.

Interpretation and conclusions: The test drug formulations were found to be effective in healing and relieving the symptoms of this disease. Further, the effectiveness should be evaluated in large sample size with computerized planimetry.