title: Hypericum perforatum L. preparations for menopause: a meta-analysis of efficacy and safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare by meta-analysis the efficacy and adverse events of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort), or its combinations, and placebo for menopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out by searching in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase and the Web of Science database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. and its combination with herbs were significantly superior to placebo (standard mean difference = -1.08; 95% confidence interval -1.38 to -0.77); extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. proved to be more effective than placebo in the treatment of menopause. Adverse events occurred in 53 (17.4%) patients on Hypericum perforatum L. preparations and 45 (15.4%) patients on placebo (relative risk = 1.16; 95% confidence interval 0.81-1.66).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. have possibly fewer side-effects than placebo for the treatment of menopausal women.
authors.affiliation: * School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University , Shenyang.
authors.forename: Y-R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Y-L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: R-Q
authors.initials: RQ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: J-Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: B-K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: J-X
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: EFFICACY; HYPERICUM PERFORATUM L; MENOPAUSE; META-ANALYSIS; SAFETY