Hsu Ya-Ting, Wu Hsien-Chang, Tsai Chung-Che, Tsai Yao-Chou, Kuo Chan-Yen
School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan.
Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, No. 289, Jianguo Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City 23142, Taiwan.
Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2025 Jul 25;47(8):591. doi: 10.3390/cimb47080591.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent bacterial infections in women, with high recurrence rates and growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance. The need for alternative or adjunctive therapies has spurred interest in plant-based treatments, which offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory benefits. This review summarizes the mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and therapeutic potential of various medicinal plants and natural compounds for preventing and treating UTIs in women. Notable candidates include cranberry, bearberry, pomegranate, green tea, and other phytochemicals with proven anti-adhesive and biofilm-disrupting properties. Evidence from clinical trials and meta-analyses supports the role of cranberry natural products and traditional herbal medicines (THMs) in reducing UTI recurrence, especially when combined with antibiotics. Notably, A-type proanthocyanidins in cranberry and arbutin in bearberry are key bioactive compounds that exhibit potent anti-adhesive and biofilm-disrupting properties, offering promising adjunctive strategies for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections. Additionally, emerging therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), show promise in restoring bladder function and reducing infection in women with lower urinary tract dysfunction. Overall, plant-based strategies represent a valuable and well-tolerated complement to conventional therapies and warrant further investigation through high-quality clinical trials to validate their efficacy, safety, and role in personalized UTI management.
尿路感染（UTIs）是女性中最常见的细菌感染之一，复发率高，且对抗菌药物耐药性的担忧日益增加。对替代或辅助疗法的需求激发了人们对植物性治疗的兴趣，这些治疗具有抗菌、抗炎、抗氧化和免疫调节作用。本综述总结了各种药用植物和天然化合物在预防和治疗女性尿路感染方面的作用机制、临床疗效和治疗潜力。值得注意的候选物包括蔓越莓、熊果、石榴、绿茶以及其他具有已证实的抗黏附和破坏生物膜特性的植物化学物质。临床试验和荟萃分析的证据支持蔓越莓天然产品和传统草药在降低尿路感染复发方面的作用，特别是与抗生素联合使用时。值得注意的是，蔓越莓中的A型原花青素和熊果中的熊果苷是关键的生物活性化合物，具有强大的抗黏附和破坏生物膜特性，为预防复发性尿路感染提供了有前景的辅助策略。此外，新兴疗法，如富含血小板血浆（PRP），在恢复膀胱功能和减少下尿路功能障碍女性的感染方面显示出前景。总体而言，基于植物的策略是传统疗法的有价值且耐受性良好的补充，值得通过高质量临床试验进一步研究，以验证其疗效、安全性以及在个性化尿路感染管理中的作用。
