The Effect of Herbal Extract (EstroG‐100) on Pre‐, Peri‐ and Post‐Menopausal Women: A Randomized Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Study

Abstract

This clinical research study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a new herbal product, EstroG-100, containing a mixture of standardized extracts of Cynanchum wilfordii, Phlomis umbrosa and Angelica gigas, on menopausal symptoms. This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed for 12 weeks with 64 pre-, peri- and postmenopausal White Hispanic, White non-Hispanic and African American women who were randomly allocated to either the EstroG-100 group (n = 31) or the placebo group (n = 33). Primary end-points were the mean change in scores of the Kupperman menopause index (KMI) that evaluates 11 symptoms, and the mean change in scores of vaginal dryness. The mean KMI score was significantly reduced in the EstroG-100 group from 29.5 ± 7.4 at baseline to 11.3 ± 5.8 (p < 0.01) compared with change of the placebo group (29.2 ± 6.6 at baseline vs 23.7 ± 7.7 at week 12). The constituting symptoms of vasomotor, paresthesia, insomnia, nervousness, melancholia, vertigo, fatigue and rheumatic pain were significantly improved in the EstroG-100 group in comparison with the placebo group (p < 0.05). Statistically significant improvement in vaginal dryness in the EstroG-100 group was also observed compared with that of the placebo group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, EstroG-100 significantly improved the menopausal symptoms of pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women without weight gain or any serious side effects.

Chemopreventive Effects of Korean Angelica versus Its Major Pyranocoumarins on Two Lineages of Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate Carcinogenesis

“…Its dried root extract is marketed as a dietary supplement for pain relief and memory enhancement in the United States and globally. AGN-containing multiple herbal supplements have been tested and found efficacious for relieving postmenopausal symptoms in US women (3). …”

Survey on the Original Plant Species of Crude Drugs Distributed as Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix and Its Related Crude Drugs in the Korean and Chinese Markets

“…2) In April 2015, an investigation into CWR-containing products by the Korea Food and Drug Administration revealed that Cynanchum auriculatum ROYLE ex WIGHT (Asclepiadaceae) was illegally used for 65% of these products. 3,4) The roots of C. auriculatum have been traditionally used as Cynanchi Auriculati Radix CAR, in China, but CAR is now listed as a toxic plant by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because of its ability to initiate miscarriage in female pigs.…”

Bone regenerative effect of aqueous Cynanchum wilfordii extract in receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced osteoclast differentiation and estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis

“…In the treatment of menopausal symptoms, herbal mixtures containing C. wilfordii have been used to improve symptoms including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and insomnia [18]. However, the anti-osteoporotic effect of C. wilfordii in an ovariectomized (OVX)-induced rat model and on osteoclastic bone resorption has not been reported.…”