Selective Promotion of Protective Lactobacilli by Gynovash Foam Cleanser to Maintain Healthy Vaginal Ecosystem

Background and objective: Appropriate intimate feminine hygiene can relieve the discomforting symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge, bad odour, itching, dryness and improves overall well-being. Present study aimed to investigate efficacy of Gynovash (Millennium Herbal Care Ltd.) foam cleanser for the preliminary evaluation of anti-microbial activity and selective growth promotion of protective Lactobacilli to uphold an optimum vaginal ecosystem.Methods: The in-vitro microbial activity of Gynovash foam cleanser was assessed by agar well diffusion method and time-kill determinations for Candida albicans and Lactobacillus plantarum.Results: Gynovash foam cleanser initially inhibited growth of both organisms with zone of inhibition 18.7 ± 1.5 mm for Candida albicans and 19.8 ± 1.2 mm for Lactobacillus plantarum. Time kill determination study revealed that with increase in contact time, Gynovash promoted growth of Lactobacillus plantarum while the growth of Candida albicans remained inhibited. These results validated the product mechanism that it kills all pathogenic and nonpathogenic organisms initially, and later with time it selectively supports the growth of Lactobacilli which could suppress pathogens and helps maintaining vaginal ecosystem.Conclusion: Gynovash foam cleanser, a sulphate free, silicon free phyto-constituent enriched product could preserve the overall health of vaginal ecosystem.