Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) reduces intake of antibiotics in the treatment of non-severe lower urinary tract infections: A drug monitoring study

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections affecting women. Due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistances there is an urgent need for alternative herbal medicinal products for the treatment of non-severe lower UTIs. Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton is effective through various mechanisms of action without inducing resistances in microorganisms [1]. Thus, a drug monitoring study (n = 48) was conducted on women older than 18 years with an increase in leukocytes and clinical symptoms typical for UTIs like dysuria, imperative strangury, increased or new onset of incontinence, hematuria and suprapubic pain. All subjects received one tablet of a standardized cranberry extract (67 mg proanthocyanidines) combined with Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton, Armoracia rusticana G. Gaertn., B. Mey & Scherb., and vitamins, twice daily (morning and evening) during the first week and one tablet per day for the following four weeks. After 14 days (t1) and after 35 days (t2) taking the tablets a further survey and control check-up with a urine test have been conducted. Patients with persistent clinical symptoms received an antibiotic, for the others the intake of cranberry tablets was continued. 34 patients (70.8%) could abstain from taking antibiotics within the first 14 days (t1) and 32 patients (66.7%) within 35 days (t2). 28 patients (87.5%) were without symptoms at t2. In conclusion, this drug monitoring study was the first study performed with a combination product (cranberry, nasturtium, armoracia), which furthermore supports the concept of using alternative medicine treating non-severe lower UTIs.