ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The fears and side effects of a prolonged hormone replacement therapy on the postmenopausal symptoms reinforce a growing interest about alternatives. The present study was performed to investigate whether black cohosh root extract (BCRE) can be used or not as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in order to relieve postmenopausal symptoms. MATERIAL & METHODS: Randomized, double-blind prospective clinical trial examined the effects of BCRE and HRT on Kupperman index, biochemical bone markers, lipid profiles, and side effects in 74 women with postmenopausal symptoms. Treatments included placebo (Festal(R)) (n=12), BCRE (Feramin(R)) (n=32) and HRT (Premarin(R)) (n=30) for 3 months. Kupperman index, biochemical bone markers (osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline), and lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol) were measured at 0, 1 and 3 months. Side effects were checked at 3 months. RESULTS: BCRE was significantly effective in lowering of Kupperman index as much as HRT at two control times (1 month: p<0.05, 3 months: p<0.001). It also showed slightly favorable effects on biochemical bone markers and lipid profiles but not statistically significant. Fewer side effects were seen in BCRE than HRT. CONCLUSION: BCRE appears to be a safe and effective alternative to HRT for early postmenopausal symptoms and may be especially useful in women with intolerances or contraindications to traditional HRT.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Cholesterol , Cimicifuga , Hormone Replacement Therapy , Prospective Studies , TriglyceridesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The fears and side effects of a prolonged hormone replacement therapy on the postmenopausal symptoms reinforce a growing interest about alternatives. The present study was performed to investigate whether black cohosh root extract (BCRE) can be used or not as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in order to relieve postmenopausal symptoms. MATERIAL & METHODS: Randomized, double-blind prospective clinical trial examined the effects of BCRE and HRT on Kupperman index, biochemical bone markers, lipid profiles, and side effects in 74 women with postmenopausal symptoms. Treatments included placebo (Festal(R)) (n=12), BCRE (Feramin(R)) (n=32) and HRT (Premarin(R)) (n=30) for 3 months. Kupperman index, biochemical bone markers (osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline), and lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol) were measured at 0, 1 and 3 months. Side effects were checked at 3 months. RESULTS: BCRE was significantly effective in lowering of Kupperman index as much as HRT at two control times (1 month: p<0.05, 3 months: p<0.001). It also showed slightly favorable effects on biochemical bone markers and lipid profiles but not statistically significant. Fewer side effects were seen in BCRE than HRT. CONCLUSION: BCRE appears to be a safe and effective alternative to HRT for early postmenopausal symptoms and may be especially useful in women with intolerances or contraindications to traditional HRT.