A Novel Extract of Fenugreek Husk (FenuSMART™) Alleviates Postmenopausal Symptoms and Helps to Establish the Hormonal Balance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Phytother Res. 2016 Nov;30(11):1775-1784. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5680. Epub 2016 Jul 13.

Shamshad Begum S^1,2, Jayalakshmi HK³, Vidyavathi HG³, Gopakumar G⁴, Abin I⁴, Balu M⁴, Geetha K⁵, Suresha SV⁵, Vasundhara M⁶, Krishnakumar IM⁴.

Author information

• ¹Bakery and Value Addition Centre, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 560024, India. shamshadbegum2@gmail.com.
• ²University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 560065, India. shamshadbegum2@gmail.com.
• ³Department of Clinical Nutrition, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bangalore, 560069, India.
• ⁴R&D Centre, Akay Flavours & Aromatics Ltd., Ambunadu, Malaidamthuruthu P.O., Cochin, 683561, India.
• ⁵Bakery and Value Addition Centre, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 560024, India.
• ⁶University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 560065, India.

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of hormone replacement therapy, various reports on its side effects have generated an increasing interest in the development of safe natural agents for the management of postmenopausal discomforts. The present randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study investigated the effect of 90-day supplementation of a standardized extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) (FenuSMART™), at a dose of 1000 mg/day, on plasma estrogens and postmenopausal discomforts. Eighty-eight women having moderate to severe postmenopausal discomforts and poor quality of life (as evidenced from the scores of Greene Climacteric Scale, short form SF-36® and structured medical interview) were randomized either to extract-treated (n = 44) or placebo (n = 44) groups. There was a significant (p < 0.01) increase in plasma estradiol (120%) and improvements on various postmenopausal discomforts and quality of life of the participants in the extract-treated group, as compared with the baseline and placebo. While 32% of the subjects in the extract group reported no hot flashes after supplementation, the others had a reduction to one to two times per day from the baseline stages of three to five times a day. Further analysis of haematological and biochemical parameters revealed the safety of the extract and its plausible role in the management of lipid profile among menopausal women. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

KEYWORDS:

Greene Climacteric Scale; Trigonella foenum-graecum; estradiol; fenugreek; menopausal symptoms; phytoestrogens; quality of life