title: MF Afragil® in the treatment of 34 menopause symptoms: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A combination of calcium, vitamin D3, lycopene , astaxantin and Citrus bioflavoid (MF Afragil®) was administered for a period of 8 weeks to 65 women to determine its effects in reducing signs/symptoms of climacteric status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups of women were compared in a registry study (33 treated with MF Afragil® and 32 with no treatment). The climacteric condition was determined by using the 34-symptom questionnaire MSSQ, which was filled out at inclusion in the trial and after 8 weeks of treatment. The MSSQ signs/symptoms scores (Common Symptoms, Changes and Pains) of the two groups were comparable at inclusion, whereas after 8 weeks a significant reduction of many variables was found in the group treated with MF Afragil® and in the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following the treatment with MF Afragil®, the total MSSQ score was reduced by more than 45%. There was a significant reduction in hot flashes, CNS symptoms (depression, anxiety and panic disorders), incontinence and joint pain, which are among the most frequent symptoms of climacteric status. Otsteoporosis was not analyzed due to the short period of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MF Afragil® was found to be efficient in reducing climacteric symptoms following a short-term administration. More prolonged treatment and more cases are under analysis to also determine its effect on osteroporosis.
authors.affiliation: Irvine3 Labs, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chieti-Pescara University, Pescara, Italy. cardres@abol.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belcaro
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cesarone
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cornelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dugall
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002957:Citrus; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005609:Free Radicals; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D005419:Flavonoids; D005609:Free Radicals; D024341:Xanthophylls; C555806:astaxantin, calcium, citrus bioflavoid, lycopene, vitamin D3 drug combination; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D002338:Carotenoids; C005948:astaxanthine; D000077276:Lycopene; D002118:Calcium