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Efficacy of a novel extract of fenugreek seeds in alleviating vasomotor symptoms and depression in perimenopausal women: A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study
Author(s) -
Khanna Aman,
John Febi,
Das Syam,
Thomas Jestin,
Rao Jyoti,
Maliakel Balu,
IM Krishnakumar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of food biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-4514
pISSN - 0145-8884
DOI - 10.1111/jfbc.13507
Subject(s) - medicine , vasomotor , placebo , randomized controlled trial , osteoporosis , insomnia , depression (economics) , sex hormone binding globulin , testosterone (patch) , traditional medicine , hormone , pharmacology , alternative medicine , pathology , androgen , economics , macroeconomics
The present randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study investigated the effect of a standardized fenugreek extract (FHE) on perimenopausal discomforts and its influence on hormonal balance and safety. Healthy women characterized with perimenopausal symptoms ( n = 48), as assessed by MRS questionnaire, were randomized either to FHE ( n = 24) or placebo ( n = 24) and supplemented with 250 mg × 2/day for 42 days. Both inter and intra‐group comparison revealed a significant improvement in somatic, psychological, and urogenital scores in FHE group, especially for hot flashes (25.9%), night sweats (26.5%), depression (31.8%), and insomnia (21.6%). Further hormone analysis revealed an enhancement in serum estradiol (18.9%), free testosterone (38.2%), and progesterone (19.9%) concentrations and a significant decrease in FSH (38.2%) and SHBG (21.1%) concentrations toward establishing a hormonal balance among FHE‐group; without significant changes in other clinical safety parameters. Thus, FHE supplementation offered a significant reduction in vasomotor effects and depression in perimenopausal women, without any adverse effects Practical applications Fenugreek is a popular kitchen spice and Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of health conditions including diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hepatotoxicity, gastritis, and also for a variety of hormone‐related health conditions such as sexual functions, lactation, osteoporosis, PCOS, and post/perimenopausal discomforts. Fenugreek is rich in alkaloids, steroidal saponins, flavonoids and 4‐hydroxyisoleucine. The present randomized‐controlled study investigated the plausible application of a standardized hydro‐ethanolic extract of fenugreek seeds (FHE) having a unique 3:1 ratio for protodioscin to trigonelline in the management of perimenopausal discomforts. It was observed that FHE at a dosage of 250 mg × 2/day for 42 days significantly reduced the discomforts, especially vasomotor symptoms and depression, and helped to attain a hormonal balance without any adverse effects or deviations in clinical safety parameters. Thus, FHE could be a potential natural agent for the management of post and perimenopausal discomforts and has to be explored in future studies.