Effects of ipriflavone on postmenopausal syndrome and osteoporosis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of ipriflavone on postmenopausal syndrome and osteoporosis in women. METHODS: A randomized and double-blind study was conducted. Sixty postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were chosen and they were randomly divided into three groups Treatment group I was given oral compound calcium acid chelate and Vitamin AD guttate; treatment group II was given oral compound calcium acid chelate, Vitamin AD guttate and ipriflavone; Control group was given placebo and compound calcium acid chelate. The postmenopausal syndrome, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone biochemical markers were assessed 6 and 12 months after the treatment. RESULTS: In treatment group II, hot flush and ostalgia syndromes were dramatically relieved, BMD and serum calcium level increased markedly and alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase decreased markedly, comparing with treatment group I and control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ipriflavone could inhibit bone resorption and promote bone formation. It is an effective drug for the prevention and treatment to menopausal syndrome and osteoporosis. Ipriflavone could be used as a supplement to estrogen replacement treatment.