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Laminaria species and usefulness in obstetrics and gynecology

March 2016
Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 4(3):244-245

DOI:10.12980/jclm.4.2016j5-193

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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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Laminaria species is a group of marine algae that is generally known as sea brown algae. It can be seen around the world and the coastal people have known it for years. The use of Laminaria spp. in medicine is very interesting. In this short article, the authors summarized and discussed on Laminaria spp. and usefulness in obstetrics and gynecology.

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244

Laminaria species and usefulness in obstetrics and gynecology

Beuy Joob1*, Viroj Wiwanitkti2,3,4,5

1Sanitation 1 Medical Academic Center, Bangkok, Thailand

2Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China

3Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia

4Joseph Ayobabalola University, Nigeria

5Dr DY Patil Medical University, India

Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 2016; 4(3): 244-245

Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

*Corresponding author: Beuy Joob, Sanitation 1 Medical Academic Center,

Bangkok, Thailand.

Tel: +6624658292

E-mail: beuyjoob@hotmail.com

The journal implements double-blind peer review practiced by specially invited

international editorial board members.

1. Introduction

There are many kinds of marine algae. Several medical advantages

of algae is confirmed[1-11]. Of several species, Laminaria species is

a group of marine algae that is generally known as sea brown algae.

It can be seen around the world and the coastal people have known

it for years. Generally, the algae can be seen at 25 to 100 feet depth

level. This algae has been used as food source for a long time[12].

It is also mentioned as nutraceutical that can be useful against

obesity and diabetes[13]. The use of Laminaria spp. in medicine

is very interesting. In this short article, the authors summarized

and discussed on Laminaria spp. and usefulness in obstetrics and

gynecology.

Laminaria

spp. in obstetrics

Using Laminaria spp. in obstetrics is very interesting[14]. For

a few years, the algae has been used for vaginal preparation[14].

It is indicated for help induce abortion[15-17]. In fact, the vaginal

preparation is a very important medical procedures in obstetrics[18-27].

Herczeg et al. concluded that the dilatatory effect of laminaria was

an obvious help in termination of both first and second trimester

pregnancies[16]. The vaginal dilation effect is considered safe and

produced less side effect comparing to other methods[28-30]. Hence,

the use of this algae should be considered in clinical practice[28].

Laminaria

spp. in gynecology

Using Laminaria spp. in gynecology is very interesting[14]. The

use of the algae in gynecology is just developed (after using it in

obstetrics for a long time). Using of Laminaria spp. in vaginal

preparation for obstetric surgery can be seen at present. Using

for hysteroscopy, Darwish et al. noted that both misoprostol and

laminaria were equally effective in inducing proper cervical priming

prior to operative hysteroscopy with minimal time of cervical

dilatation[31]. Al-Fozan et al. concluded that laminaria may be more

effective than misoprostol, with uncertain effects for complication

rates[32] and also noted that the possible benefits of laminaria

need to be weighed against the inconvenience of its insertion and

retention for one to two days[32].

Apart from vaginal preparation, Laminaria spp. is also applied

for management of colpitis. Shabrin and Shapiro recently reported

success in the treatment of trichomonal colpitis with preparations

of laminaria[33]. The application on management of uterine myoma

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRAC T

Laminaria species is a group of marine algae that is generally known as sea brown algae. It can

be seen around the world and the coastal people have known it for years. The use of Laminaria

spp. in medicine is very interesting. In this short article, the authors summarized and discussed

on Laminaria spp. and usefulness in obstetrics and gynecology.

Article history:

Received 30 Sep 2015

Received in revised form 16 Oct 2015

Accepted 20 Nov 2015

Available online 2 Mar 2016

Keywords:

Laminaria

Obstetrics

Gynecology

journal homepage: www.jclmm.com

Beuy Joob and Viroj Wiwanitkti/Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 2016; 4(3): 244-245 245

and uterine cervix cancer is also reported. For example, Kumar and

Good reported using hygroscopic laminaria tent for gradual cervical

dilatation in place of manual cervical dilatation[34]. Another report

by Goldrath used the algae to help dilate vagina in vaginal removal

of the pedunculated submucous myoma[35].

4. Conclusions

As a marine product, the Laminaria spp. preparation can be

safely used in management of several problems in obstetrics and

gynecology.

Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.

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