Improvement of postmenopausal depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment with isoflavones derived from red clover extracts.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of isoflavones derived from red clover extracts (MF11RCE) over anxiety and depressive symptoms among postmenopausal women.


METHODS
One hundred and nine postmenopausal women aged 40 or more were randomly assigned to receive two daily capsules of MF11RCE (80mg red clover isoflavones, Group A) or placebo of equal appearance (Group B) for a 90-day period. After a washout period of 7 days, medication was crossed over and taken for 90 days more. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured at baseline, 90 and 187 days with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zung's Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS).


RESULTS
After receiving the MF11RCE compound the total HADS (anxiety and depression subscale scores also) and the total SDS scores decreased significantly. This effect was equivalent to a 76.9% reduction in the total HADS score (76% for anxiety and 78.3% for depression) and an 80.6% reduction in the total SDS score. After placebo, total HADS (anxiety and depression subscale also) and total SDS scores also decreased significantly in comparison to baseline but only equivalent to an average 21.7% decline.


CONCLUSIONS
Red clover derived isoflavones (MF11RCE) were effective in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms among postmenopausal women.
Lipovac
Markus
M
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology General Teaching Hospital Korneuburg, Austria.
Chedraui
Peter
P
Gruenhut
Christine
C
Gocan
Ana
A
Stammler
Maria
M
Imhof
Martin
M
D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000523:psychology*; D029921:Trifolium / Q000737:chemistry*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D007529:Isoflavones; D010936:Plant Extracts