Efficacy of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa L.) in treating early symptoms of menopause: a randomized clinical trial

Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi,Mahnaz Shahnazi,Jila Nahaee,Somaei Bayatipayan

doi:10.1186/1749-8546-8-20

Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, Mahnaz Shahnazi + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1749-8546-8-20

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Journal: Chinese Medicine	Publication Date: Nov 1, 2013
Citations: 56	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa L.) in treating early menopausal symptoms.MethodsThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 early post-menopausal participants with Greene climacteric scale (GCS) scores of 15 to 42, who were referred to two public health care centers in Tehran, Iran, in 2011–2012. The participants were randomly allocated into treatment (6.5 mg of dried extract of Black cohosh roots daily) and control (placebo) groups with a ratio of 1:1. The participants took one tablet per day for 8 weeks. The GCS scores were recorded at baseline, and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Data analysis was carried out using a general linear model with repeated measures with SPSS software. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.ResultsThere was no loss to follow-up during the 8 weeks of treatment. The GCS total score (primary outcome) in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group at both week 4 [adjusted mean difference: -7.8 (95% confidence interval: -11.1 to -4.4)] and week 8 [-12.9 (-16.2 to -9.3)]. The treatment group showed significantly more improvement than the control group in all GCS subscale scores (vasomotor, psychiatric, physical, and sexual symptoms; secondary outcomes). The differences between the treatment and control groups at week 8 were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those at week 4 in terms of the total scores and the vasomotor and psychiatric subscale scores. No side effects were reported.ConclusionsBlack cohosh reduced the GCS total score and all GCS subscale scores (vasomotor, psychiatric, physical, and sexual symptoms) during 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.Clinical trial registrationThis study was approved (Code 9061) by the Ethics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with IRCT201107186709N4 on 15 January 2012.

Highlights

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa L.) in treating early menopausal symptoms
Hormone replacement therapy is the standard treatment for early symptoms in post-menopausal women [7], but increases the risks of stroke, heart diseases, and breast cancer in older women [8,9]
Some studies have shown that the number of post-menopausal women using hormone replacement therapy is low [10] and that the effects of hormone replacement therapy in reducing menopausal symptoms are lower than expected [11,12]

Summary

Introduction

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa L.) in treating early menopausal symptoms. Symptoms include hot flashes, insomnia, sweating, anxiety, palpitations, headaches, poor concentration, and loss of libido [3,4]. These symptoms usually last for 1 or 2 years after menopause, but may continue up to 10 years or more in some women [2]. Some studies have shown that the number of post-menopausal women using hormone replacement therapy is low [10] and that the effects of hormone replacement therapy in reducing menopausal symptoms are lower than expected [11,12] For these reasons, there has been a tendency toward use of alternative therapies to relieve menopausal symptoms [13,14]

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