The bacteria a subtype of lactobacilli produces a family of chemicals with anti-inflammatory properties the study found.

Previous research has found that a higher prevalence of lactobacilli in the vaginal microbiome is associated with better health outcomes including lower risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV) a common vaginal infection caused by an imbalance of bacteria. 

The study found that one type of lactobacilli lactobacillus crispatus produces a family of chemicals called beta-carboline alkaloids and six of the nine members of the family have anti-inflammatory effects. One of the beta-carbolines perlolyrine proved to be particularly effective at fighting inflammation mice infected with genital herpes treated once per day with topical perlolyrine had reduced disease scores and improved survival. The researchers further tested these results by analyzing vaginal fluids from healthy women and those with BV beta-carbolines were more common in healthy individuals.

According to the researchers the studys findings provide new understanding of the vaginal microbiomes inner workings and pave the way for better prevention of and treatment for infections like BV which impacts roughly a quarter of women around the globe and can carry significant health risks. We’re still stuck at treating [BV] with antibiotics that were standard of care in the 70s Gopinath said. There’s a lot more we could be doing.

source: https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/vaginal-microbiome-research-uncovers-new-findings-for-womens-health/