A pilot study of a Kampo formula, EH0202, with intriguing results for menopausal symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of EH0202, a Japanese herbal supplement, on the immune and endocrine systems in women with menopausal symptoms.


METHODS
Thirty-two (32) postmenopausal women (53.0 +/- 5.1 years old) presenting with menopausal complaints were enrolled in a clinical study. Patients were given an herbal supplement, EH0202 (6 g per day for 6 months) and were assessed for reduction of their overall symptoms using Greene's Climacteric Scale and Visual Analog Scale. Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-6 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone concentrations were measured before and 6 months after EH0202 administration.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in the climacteric scale score (p = 0.0007) and visual analogue scale (p < 0.0001) after 6 months of EH0202 treatment. There was significant increase (p = 0.0097) in plasma GM-CSF levels and a significant decrease (p = 0.018) in plasma FSH levels after 6 months of EH0202 administration.


CONCLUSIONS
EH0202 (MACH) decreased the plasma FSH level and stimulated myelopoiesis through the cytokine system, thereby clinically reduced menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. Therefore, in postmenopausal women, this product probably acts as an immunomodulator and endocrine modulator.
Ushiroyama
Takahisa
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan. gyn003@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp
Yoshida
Satoshi
S
Tadaki
Keiichi
K
Ikeda
Atsushi
A
Ueki
Minoru
M
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D020835:Medicine, Kampo; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone