Cornus Mas and Urinary Tract Infections Treatment

Document Type : Editorial

Authors

Urology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are complicated to treat, and patients frequently will have the problem of infection recurrence after a complete cure. Usually, UTI treatment is done by antibiotics, but the problem of bacterium resistance and sensitivity should always be kept in mind. The recent trends in herbal medicine open new insight into cranberry (Cornus mas) as a promising anti-infection and anti-cancer substance. It has shown anti-infection properties in UTIs, especially for thoroughly treating recurrent urinary tract infections. However, it can increase the risk of kidney stones and interaction with warfarin.  

Highlights

  • Cornus mas should come to medicine and UTI treatment after solving the problematic issues of stone-forming and interaction with warfarin.
  • The recent trends in herbal medicine open new insight into cranberry as a miraculous anti-infection and anti-cancer substance.
  • Cornus mas has shown anti-infection properties in UTIs, especially for treating recurrent urinary tract infections completely.

Keywords


Editorial: A urinary tract infection (UTI) starts when bacteria enter the urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys. Antibiotics are usual medications to treat a UTI and to stop symptoms like pain, burning, and an urgent need to pee. The choice of antibiotic depends on two facts: what kind of bacteria caused the infection and how severe the UTI is (1). The urine culture test will define the type of germs which caused the infection. Several antibiotics are candidates for UTIs treatment, like amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, levofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim (2,3). Very recently, the importance of herbal medicine has been reconsidered in UTIs, and Cornu's mas juice is recommended for UTI and cancer treatment.

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) are full of bioactive ingredients reported to affect different health benefits, ranging from an enhanced immune system and reduced contagions to decrease cardiovascular disorders and tumor inhibition (4). A study by Jensen indicated the antimicrobial impact of Cornu's mas extract (5). Medication with a flavonoid-rich fraction of Cornus mas results in tumor stop in U87, HT-29, and DU145 (6). A randomized trial by Foxman et al., indicated that between women who have gynecological operation connecting urinary catheterization, medication by Cornus mas through the postoperative time condensed the degree of UTI to 50%. The antibacterial result of Cornus mas over infection (bacterial by Escherichia coli) was considered in the new mouse model of UTI. Condensed microbial amounts were shown in the bladder. Quinic, malic, shikimic, and citric acid, the preponderant organic acids in Cornus mas, were experienced in both methods of mixture and single. The groupings of the organic acids, and the acids directed individually, had not changed the infection in the UTI model except for Cornus mas. The antibacterial outcome of the organic acids from Cornus mas on cystitis can be gained from controlling a combination of malic acid and either citric or quinic acid. The research by Jensen and his colleagues for the first time indicated that Cornu's mas juice reduces E. coli colonization of the bladder in an investigational mouse model of UTI, suggesting that the organic acids can be the most active mediators (7). A randomized clinical trial by Amsa and his colleagues in 2018 standardized more than the small amounts of Cornu's mas proanthocyanidin extracts to prevent recurrent women’s cystitis (8).  An ideal dose of Cornus mas measured and uniformed in premature atrial contraction (PAC) (2 × 18.5 mg PACs/day) or a controlled dose (2 × 1 mg PACs/day). The main consequence of the trial is the mean number of new symptomatic UTIs in women over a  six months follow-up during the intervention (9). 

Despite the noteworthy benefit of Cornus mas, it should keep in mind that because of high oxalate content, Cornus mas can predispose to kidney stone formation, and its interaction with coumarins may cause bleeding (10,11). 

Conclusions

Cornus mas should be included in UTI treatment armamentarium eligibility after solving the problematic issues of stone-forming and interaction with warfarin.

 

Authors’ contribution

All authors had an equal contribution.

 

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Urology Research Center (URC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). 

 

Conflict of interest

All authors declare that there is not any kind of conflict of interest.

 

Funding

There was no funding for this research.

 

Ethical statement

Not Applicable. 

 

Data availability 

Not Applicable. 

 

Abbreviation

PAC    Premature atrial contraction 

UTI     Urinary tract infections

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