Effects Of Cimicifuga Racemosa Research Articles

Effect of Cimicifuga racemosa on metabolic parameters in women with menopausal symptoms. A retrospective observational study (CIMBOLIC)

Purpose. To compare the influence of Cimicifuga racemosa extract (CR, Ze 450) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on metabolic parameters and body weight in symptomatic menopausal women.Methods. In this monocentric retrospective cohort study, women over 40 years old with a first consultation between 2009 and 2016 were screened. Included in the final analysis were women treated with either MHT or CR and having at least one follow-up consultation. Metabolic serum parameters (lipids, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR), body weight, and menopausal symptoms(Menopause Rating Scale (MRS)-II) were the main outcome measures. Statistical analysis by uni- and multi-variable linear mixed-effects regression models assuming a linear effect of time.Results. 174 women were included in the final analysis (CR n = 32, MHT n = 142). There was no difference between the groups regarding baseline characteristics (age, BMI, serum metabolic parameters, hormones, and blood pressure) and total MRS-II score, while reproductive stage differed significantly with more postmenopausal women treated with CR (83%) than MHT (55%)(p = 0.038). Median follow-up time was 12 months. In both groups, metabolic serum parameters and body weight did not change over the follow-up period, while total and MRS-II subscores improved.Conclusion. Menopausal symptoms improved significantly in both groups (MHT and CR), while serum metabolic parameters and body weight did not change in MHT- or CR-treated women.

Effect of cimicifuga racemosa on menopausal syndrome caused by LHRH-a in breast cancer

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCimicifuga racemose is previously proved effective on nature menopausal syndrome (MPS). However, its clinical value in treating with MPS induced by luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRH-a) therapy of pre-/peri-menopausal breast cancer patients is still unknown. Aim of studyThis perspective randomised-design study is to investigate the effect and safety of cimicifuga racemosa on MPS induced by LHRH-a in breast cancer (clinical trial registered: NCT03339882). Materials and methodsBreast cancer patients planning for LHRH-a treatment were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group which was being treated with the standard treatment of LHRH-a. The other group was being treated with Remifemin, the commercialized product of cimicifuga racemose extract, combined with LHRH-a, called Remifemin group. Our main endpoint was Kupperman menopause index (KMI). Hormone levels in peripheral blood and gynecological complications were also evaluated. ResultsTotally, 85 patients (42 in Remifemin group and 43 in control group) were enrolled in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. At the 4th, 8th and 12th week after using LHRH-a, the KMI were all significantly lower in Remifemin group than in control group (P < 0.01), while the hormone levels, including estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were similar in the two groups. In addition, the incidence of cervical cyst in Remifemin group was higher than that in control group (P = 0.02), and there was no significant difference in the other gynecological complications, including endometrial thickening, ovarian cyst or uterine fibroid (P > 0.05). ConclusionsCimicifuga racemose is effective, oncological safe and reliable for treatment of MPS caused by LHRH-a in breast cancer.

Posicionamiento de la Asociación Española para el Estudio de la Menopausia sobre el uso clínico de la Cimicífuga racemosa en el climaterio

ObjectiveDue to an increasing interest in the symptoms related to menopause in western countries, the Spanish Menopause Society (SMS) has assessed the role of cimicifuga racemosa in relieving those symptoms based on the most reliable evidence available. Material and methodsA meeting was held with a panel of experts, health scientists and researchers specialised in the field of phytotherapy. The studies selected were obtained through electronic search which included INTERNET, MEDLINE (1985-May 2008), and the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register. ResultsMost studies published in recent years have been carried out using an isopropanol extract of cimicifuga racemosa. The dose most commonly studied was 40mg/day and was shown to result in a moderate decrease in hot flushes, particularly in those women with the most intense hot flushes, and an improvement in their mood. When recommended doses are used there is no significant risk to the hepatic system. Available data on the effect of cimicifuga racemosa on cardiovascular disease, bones, cognitive function or skin are scarce or non-existent. ConclusionsCimicifuga racemosa is an effective treatment for relief of vasomotor symptoms, at least within a suitable population of peri- and postmenopausal women. Nevertheless, more accurate clinical trials which include sufficient numbers of patients and a longer follow-up are required.

Cimicifuga racemosa treatment and health related quality of life in post-menopausal Spanish women

Objective. The effect of Cimicifuga racemosa (CR) treatment was evaluated in healthy symptomatic post-menopausal women using the Cervantes health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) scale.Design. A prospective observational study was carried out in 122 healthy symptomatic post-menopausal Spanish women with elevated body weight, aged between 45 and 59 years. Three groups were formed according to age intervals. Each patient completed the Cervantes HR-QoL scale before and after CR treatment (20 mg, twice a day for 3 months). Changes in Cervantes scale global quality of life scores as well as in their domains (menopause and health, psychic, sexuality and couple relationship) were analysed.Results. The CR treatment ameliorated global quality of life in both the whole group of patients and when women were analysed by age subgroups. There were significant positive changes in Z scores for the Cervantes HR-QoL scale ‘menopause and health’, and ‘psychic’ domains in both the entire population and by age groups. The ‘sexuality domain’ significantly improved when the entire population was assessed, but not when each age-group was separately analysed; while there were no changes in ‘couple relationship domain’ scores.Conclusion. CR treatment increased both global quality of life and the four domains of the Cervantes HR-QoL scale, being an effective treatment to reduce symptoms in post-menopausal woman with elevated body weight.

Estrogenic gene regulation in RC-4B/C1 cells: effects of Cimicifuga racemosa

Extracts of the rhizoma of Cimicifuga racemosa (CR) are used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, mainly for changes in mood and hot flashes. Although the mechanism of action remains unclear an involvement of the pituitary gland seems to be reasonable. It is well known that the pituitary gland is an estrogen-target in the feedback loop of the reproductive endocrine axis. Therefore we established the rat lactogonadotrope RC-4B/C1 cell line as a pituitary derived experimental system to investigate potential pituitary effects of estradiol (E2) and to assess the potential estrogen-like effects of CR extracts in the pituitary. Using realtime PCR we identified estrogen-responsive marker genes within this cell line: LH β subunit (LHB), Prolactin (PRL), Glycoprotein α-subunit (CGA) and Neuropeptide Y1 receptor (Y1R). Furthermore we examined the regulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and its downstream regulated genes CYP1A1 and AhR Repressor (AhRR) by E2 and CR, because in the literature an interaction of AhR and ER binding and signaling through SP1 element is reported, as well as CR extracts interference with this crosstalk mechanism. After 48 hours of treatment E2 up-regulated significantly PRL mRNA levels whereas the expression levels of all other examined genes, inclusive AhR, CYP1A1 and AhRR, were down-regulated significantly. The induced changes of mRNA expression levels by E2 could be inhibited by simultaneous treatment of cells with the pure antagonist ICI 182,780 (Faslodex). In contrast no significant regulation of the mRNA levels of the estrogen responsive genes could be shown for the isopropanolic CR extract (iCR). In conclusion it can be stated that iCR did neither have any effect on the expression of the AhR and the AhR regulated genes CYP1A1 and AhRR nor on estrogen responsive genes in this lactogonadotrope pituitary in vitro-system. This is another piece of evidence that the mechanism of action of CR is different from estrogen receptor signaling pathways and may include others like serotonin receptor signaling.