Short-term effects of a combination of isoflavones, lignans andCimicifuga racemosaon climacteric-related symptoms in postmenopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a combination of isoflavones, lignans and Cimicifuga racemosa on acute climacteric-related symptoms in postmenopausal women in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial performed at the menopause clinic of our department. Eighty healthy postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to two treatment groups - one receiving the combination (group A, n = 40), the other receiving calcium supplements (group B, n = 40) - for three cycles of 28 days. Climacteric-related symptoms were evaluated by the Kupperman index (KI) at baseline and after the three cycles of treatment. At baseline no significant difference was detected in KI between groups A and B; however, after three cycles of treatment, KI was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in group A compared with baseline and with group B. We conclude that the administration of a combination of isoflavones, lignans and C. racemosa already reduces acute climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women after 3 months of treatment. This prompt effect is probably due to the different pharmacokinetic properties of isoflavones and lignans; isoflavones are absorbed faster than lignans, while lignans are removed later. The combination of these molecules can guarantee a better reduction of postmenopausal symptoms over a 24-h period.

Efficacy of phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: a meta-analysis and systematic review

“…Of the seven studies that reported KI data 17 – 20 , 23 – 25 , three reported a significant reduction of KI in the phytoestrogen group when compared with the placebo group 17 , 20 , 25 , while the other four 18 , 19 , 23 , 24 reported no difference between the groups. Meta-analysis of the seven studies indicated no significant treatment effect of phytoestrogen when compared to placebo (pooled mean difference = 6.4, p = 0.110, Figure 2a ).…”

“…The number of participants in the studies ranged from 30 to 252, and the intervention periods ranged from 3 to 12 months. Seven studies reported the KI at baseline and after intervention 17 – 20 , 23 – 25 , while ten studies reported hot flush frequency at baseline and after intervention, or change from baseline 11 , 15 , 16 , 19 , 21 – 23 , 26 – 28 . As expected, there was no significant difference in baseline KI and hot flush frequency between treatment and placebo groups, since the participants were randomly allocated.…”

Exogenous Hormonal Regulation in Breast Cancer Cells by Phytoestrogens and Endocrine Disruptors

“…Isoflavones are absorbed and removed faster than lignans. Consistent with this, a large randomized study has shown that the combination of the different molecules is most efficacious for the control of postmenopausal symptoms during a 24 hour period [135]. …”

Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture for Breast Cancer Palliative Care and Adjuvant Therapy

“…The mechanisms of action of this phytotherapeutic herb are still not totally understood, but there is growing interest in its usefulness in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms and hot flushes and in preventing the decrease in bone density associated with menopause [93, 94]. The use of black cohosh in clinical trials as an adjuvant to chemotherapy was observed to help patients improve their QOL through relief of vasomotor symptoms [95, 96]. Moreover, in vitro studies using MCF7 cells showed the high antitumor activity of C. racemosa extracts and their involvement in induction of apoptosis [97].…”