title: Short-term effects of a combination of isoflavones, lignans and Cimicifuga racemosa on 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. lidiasamma@tin.it
authors.forename: Annalidia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sammartino
authors.forename: Giovanni Antonio
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tommaselli
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gargano
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: di Carlo
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Attianese
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nappi
mesh_terms: D031885:Cimicifuga / Q000737:chemistry*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017705:Lignans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007529:Isoflavones; D017705:Lignans; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts