http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Management+of+cervical+dysplasia+and+human+papillomavirus.-a0223286210

Some important herbal medicines and nutrients for systemic treatment include:

Folic acid: There have been several studies showing that low serum folate levels are linked to cervical dysplasia and high folate blood levels to the prevention of CIN I.. (9), (10) Improvement in cervical dysplasia using folic acid supplementation is also well documented. (11) The doses vary and are most often given with vitamin B12 as not to mask B12 anemia.

Indole-3-Carbinol: Indole-3-carbinol (13C) is present in all members of the cruciferous vegetable family, including cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale. Studies indicate that 13C has the potential to prevent and even treat a number of common cancers, especially those that are estrogen related. (12) In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 30 patients with biopsy-confirmed CIN II-III were randomized to receive placebo or 200 or 400 mg oral 13C daily for 12 weeks. Three patients did not complete the study. None of the 10 patients in the placebo group had complete regression of CIN. Four of eight patients in the 200 mg/day group and four of nine in the 400 mg/day group had complete regression of CIN. (13) 13C is easily available over the counter as a supplement or simply by eating 4 to 5 servings of cruciferous vegetables a day.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants are known for their cancer-prevention properties. Studies have linked antioxidant levels to CIN and cervical cancer. In one study, blood levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and vitamin E were measured in patients with biopsy-confirmed CIN, cervical cancer, and normal PAP smears (controls). Results showed that levels of CoQ10 and vitamin E were significantly lower in patients with diagnosed CIN and cervical cancer when compared with controls. (14) Levels of CoQ10 from cervicovaginal epithelial cells were measurable and also appeared to be significantly lower in women diagnosed with CIN. (15) These findings suggest that low levels of these two antioxidants may play a role in the pathogenesis of cervical dysplasia.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant that boosts the immune system and has proven anticancer effects. It is known that women with cervical dysplasia have low blood levels of vitamin C. (16) A recent study showed that women with high intake of dietary vitamin C had a reduction in the risk of cervical dysplasia. (17) A study on Korean women looked at 58 colposcopy-confirmed cases of CIN and compared them with 86 women with normal Pap smears. The plasma concentration of vitamin C was significantly lower in the CIN group than in the control group. (18) This suggests a role for vitamin C in the treatment of cervical dysplasia.

Green Tea Extract: Epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the standardized extract from green tea. It is known to inhibit epidermal growth factor receptor, which is needed for cervical cell growth. A recent study looked at 51 women with HPV-infected cervical lesions divided into 4 groups and compared them with 39 controls. Green tea ointment was applied locally to 27 patients twice a week. For oral delivery, a EGCG capsule was taken every day for 8 to 12 weeks. In the study, 20 out of 27 patients under ointment therapy showed a response. Six out of eight patients under green tea ointment plus capsule therapy showed a response. Six out of 10 patients under EGCG capsule therapy showed a response. Overall, a 69% response rate was noted for treatment with green tea extracts, as compared with a 10% response rate in untreated controls. A good response meant an improvement in cervical dysplasia. (19)

Coriolus Versicolor: Coriolus is a mushroom commonly used in Asian cultures for its immune properties. It is often called an immunomodulator and has been studied for its immuneenhancing properties in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Recently, is has been studied for its immunomodulating effects on HPV and reversing early stages of cervical cancer. (20) A study published in the Townsend Letter (November 2006) by J. Silva Couto looked at women with cervical dysplasia, LSIL (CIN I and HPV). Half of the women in the LSIL group were given 3g/day of Coriolus a day for one year and the other half took none. Silva Couto found that Coriolus versicolor supplementation over a period of one year substantially increased regression of the dysplasia (LSIL) and induced clearance of the high-risk subtypes of the HPV virus. Some interesting findings of the study include the following:

* Coriolus versicolor supplementation demonstrated a 72% regression rate in LSIL lesions compared with 47.5% without supplementation.

* Coriolus versicolor supplementation demonstrated a 90% regression rate in the high-risk HPV virus subtypes compared with 8.5% without supplementation.

Local treatments applied to the cervix include:

Escharotic Treatment: The use of escharotic or caustic treatments for epithelial cancers is based on a centuries-old observation that select plant and mineral extracts could be used to treat topical skin lesions.

Two small studies show the efficacy of this treatment in reversing cervical dysplasia in women.(21), (22) This treatment is used for CIN I and II after a satisfactory colposcopy is performed and if there is no disease in the endocervical canal and no glandular cells are present. Escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia involves the local application of a natural enzyme, bromelain, to the surface of the cervix. This is left in place for 15 minutes with heat applied to activate the enzyme. The proteolytic properties in bromelain dissolve the top layer of cells on the cervix that are infected and damaged by the HPV virus. A mixture of zinc chloride and the plant Sanguinaria canadensis is applied to the cervix to cause sloughing of abnormal tissue. Zinc chloride is caustic and disrupts the cellular membrane integrity and the mucus overcoating to allow the Sanguinaria to penetrate the cells. Sanguinaria has been shown to have antineoplastic qualities. (21) The treatment is performed twice per week with at least two days in between treatments for 4 to 5 weeks. The ZnCl solution is made by a compounding pharmacist. Often a Vag Pack suppository is used after each treatment

Vag Pack Suppository: Vaginal depletion packs have been in use since the 1800s. The substances within the packs draw infection out of the cervical cells and boost the immune system. Each suppository contains magnesium sulfate, glycerin complex, hydrastis tincture, thuja oil, tea tree oil, bitter orange oil, vitamin A (as palmitate) 100,000 IU, ferric sulfate, and ferrous sulfate in polybase. Hydrastis canadensis is effective against many microbial pathogens, as are the essential oils of tea tree, thuja, and bitter orange. Vag Pack suppositories are often used for mild dysplasia and/or high-risk HPV.