RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of red clover isoflavone supplementation over vasomotor and overall menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. METHODS: One hundred and nine postmenopausal women aged 40 or more were assigned to randomly receive either two daily capsules of the active compound (80 mg 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. Daily hot flush and night sweat frequency and overall menopausal symptom intensity (Kupperman Index) were measured at baseline, 90, 97 and 187 days. RESULTS: Daily hot flush/night sweat frequency and Kupperman Index values were similar in both studied groups at baseline. All indices significantly decreased after red clover phase in Group A, corresponding, respectively to a 73.5%, 72.2% and 75.4% average decrement. These decrements were significantly higher than those observed for Group B after placebo phase (8.2%, 0.9% and 6.7% respectively). In Group A, after washout and placebo phases all values significantly increased. In Group B, all indices remained similar after placebo and washout phases, however significantly dropping after red clover treatment. These values were also significantly lower than those observed in Group A after placebo phase. No side effects were encountered after treatment with the active compound or placebo. CONCLUSION: Red clover isoflavone supplementation was more effective than placebo in reducing daily vasomotor frequency and overall menopausal intensity in postmenopausal women.
Assuntos
Fogachos/dietoterapia , Isoflavonas/administração & dosagem , Fitoterapia , Pós-Menopausa/fisiologia , Trifolium/química , Adulto , Suplementos Nutricionais , Método Duplo-Cego , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Placebos , Estudos Prospectivos , Sudorese/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Objective. Evaluate in postmenopausal women the effect of red clover extract (RCE) isoflavones over subjective status of skin, appendages, and several mucosal sites. Method. Postmenopausal women (n = 109) were randomly assigned to receive either two daily capsules of the active compound (80 mg RCE, 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. Subjective improvement of skin, appendages, and several mucosal site status was assessed for each studied group at 90 and 187 days using a visual analogue scale (VAS). In addition, libido, tiredness, and urinary, sleep, and mood complaints were also evaluated. Results. Women after RCE intervention (both groups) reported better subjective improvement of scalp hair and skin status, libido, mood, sleep, and tiredness. Improvement of urinary complaints, nail, body hair, and mucosa (oral, nasal, and ocular) status did not differ between treatment phases (intra- and intergroup). Overall satisfaction with treatment was reported higher after RCE intervention (both groups) as compared to placebo. Conclusion. RCE supplementation exerted a subject improvement of scalp hair and skin status as well as libido, mood, sleep, and tiredness in postmenopausal women.
RESUMO
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. CONCLUSION: Red clover derived isoflavones (MF11RCE) were effective in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms among postmenopausal women.