iCimicifuga extract modulates brain activity: Electropharmacogram from various brain areas in freely moving rats (Tele-Stereo-EEG)
The isopranolic extract of Cimicifuga racemosa (iCR), active ingredient of the herbal medicinal product Remifemin®, is therapeutically used to relieve menopausal complaints such as hot flushes, sweating and correlated sleep disturbances. In addition, clinical studies have shown beneficial effects on the menopause-induced depressive mood, nervousness, nervous irritability and generally impaired performance and memory. The mode of action is not yet fully understood. (Source: Maturitas)
Source: Maturitas - October 21, 2015 Category: Primary Care Authors: S. Garcia de Arriba, H.H. Henneicke-von Zepelin, W. Dimpfel, K.U. Nolte Tags: LBN 10 Source Type: research
Comparison of physical interventions, behavioral interventions, natural health products, and pharmacologics to manage hot flashes in patients with breast or prostate cancer: protocol for a systematic review incorporating network meta-analyses
Discussion
Our review will include a broad range of interventions that patients with breast and prostate cancer have attempted to use to manage hot flashes. Our work will establish the extent of evidence underlying these interventions and will employ an inclusive approach to analysis to inform comparisons between them. Our findings will be shared with Cancer Care Ontario for consideration in the development of guidance related to supportive care in these patients.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO: CRD420150242...
Source: Systematic Reviews - August 27, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: research
Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetic Diversity of Ranunculaceae Medicinal Compounds.
Abstract
The wide-reaching distributed angiosperm family Ranunculaceae has approximately 2200 species in around 60 genera. Chemical components of this family include several representative groups: benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA), ranunculin, triterpenoid saponin and diterpene alkaloid, etc. Their extensive clinical utility has been validated by traditional uses of thousands of years and current evidence-based medicine studies. Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) studies of plant-based natural products are an indispensable part of comprehensive medicinal plant exploration, which could facilitate co...
Source: Current Drug Metabolism - August 3, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Hao DC, Ge GB, Xiao PG, Wang P, Yang L Tags: Curr Drug Metab Source Type: research
Safety of Popular Herbal Supplements in Lactating Women
The objectives of this review were to evaluate the safety of popular dietary supplements in breastfeeding mothers and the effects on the infants. Nine of the most popular herbal dietary supplements were identified based on the 2011 US market report of the top 10 selling botanicals and the most frequently received inquiries by the Ruth A. Lawrence Lactation Study Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Relevant publications were identified through June 2014 using PubMed and EMBASE; tertiary references, including the Drugs and Lactation Database and Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, were also reviewed. T...
Source: Journal of Human Lactation - July 16, 2015 Category: Nursing Authors: Amer, M. R., Cipriano, G. C., Venci, J. V., Gandhi, M. A. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Herbal medicines for menopausal symptoms
The publication of dangerous side effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy prompted many climacteric women to seek for plant derived alternatives. In the daily recommended doses phytoestrogen containing food supplements with soy or red clover extracts proved to be ineffective to ameliorate climacteric complaints and osteoporosis. For Cimicifuga racemosa (CR) extracts solid information is available to prove the efficiency to ease climacteric distress. In ovx rats the special aqueous-ethanolic CR extract BNO 1055 and substances therein causes relief of a number of symptoms including hot flushes. (Source: Maturitas)
Source: Maturitas - April 21, 2015 Category: Primary Care Authors: Wolfgang Wuttke, Dana Seidlova-Wuttke Tags: INV52 Source Type: research
Use and perceived efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines after discontinuation of hormone therapy: a nested United Kingdom Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening cohort study
Conclusions: Although more women use over-the-counter medicines, behavioral/lifestyle approaches seem to provide better relief of VMS. There is a pressing need for better evidence-based lay information to support decision-making on CAM use for relief of VMS. (Source: Menopause)
Source: Menopause - March 28, 2015 Category: OBGYN Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
A survey of the availability in Canadian pharmacy chains of over-the-counter natural health products for menopause symptoms
Conclusion:
Natural health products for menopausal symptoms are easily available to Canadian women. The lack of clear evidence of product efficacy makes the need for easily accessible, balanced information on this topic important for women to make well informed choices. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - March 27, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Jennifer CrodenSue RossNese YukselBeate Sydora Source Type: research
A molecular docking study of phytochemical estrogen mimics from dietary herbal supplements
Conclusions:
This molecular docking study has revealed that almost all popular herbal supplements contain phytochemical components that may bind to the human estrogen receptor and exhibit selective estrogen receptor modulation. As such, these herbal supplements may cause unwanted side effects related to estrogenic activity. (Source: Epidemiologic Perspectives and Innovations)
Source: Epidemiologic Perspectives and Innovations - March 22, 2015 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Chelsea N PowersWilliam N Setzer Source Type: research
Pharmacokinetic Interactions between Herbal Medicines and Prescribed Drugs: Focus on Drug Metabolic Enzymes and Transporters.
Abstract
Herbal medicines have been widely used for thousands of years, and now are gaining continued popularity worldwide as a complementary or alternative treatment for a variety of diseases, rehabilitation and health care. Since herbal medicines contain more than one pharmacologically active ingredient and are commonly used with many prescribed drugs, there are potential herb-drug interactions. A variety of reported herb-drug interactions are of pharmacokinetic origin, arising from the effects of herbal medicines on metabolic enzymes and/or transporters. Such an alteration in metabolism or transport can...
Source: Current Drug Metabolism - February 23, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Meng Q, Liu K Tags: Curr Drug Metab Source Type: research
[Cancer and Society] Black cohosh, hot flushes, and breast cancer
Commonly used treatments for breast cancer are known to induce premature menopause. These include chemotherapy and endocrine (hormone) therapy such as tamoxifen. Such treatments cause suppression of ovarian function. In post-menopausal women, the use of other hormonal drugs—eg, aromatase inhibitors—leads to decreased circulating oestrogen concentrations, that can, in turn, also induce menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, depression, fatigue, and altered sexual function. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)
Source: The Lancet Oncology - January 29, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Shairoz Merchant, Justin Stebbing Tags: Cancer and Society Source Type: research
Herbal medicine for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associated oligo/amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism; a review of the laboratory evidence for effects with corroborative clinical findings
Conclusions:
Preclinical and clinical studies provide evidence that six herbal medicines may have beneficial effects for women with oligo/amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism and PCOS. However the quantity of pre-clinical data was limited, and the quality of clinical evidence was variable. Further pre-clinical studies are needed to explain the effects of herbal medicines not included in this review with current clinical evidence but an absence of pre-clinical data. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - December 18, 2014 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Susan ArentzJason AbbottCaroline SmithAlan Bensoussan Source Type: research
Pharmacognosy of black cohosh: the phytochemical and biological profile of a major botanical dietary supplement.
Authors: Qiu F, McAlpine JB, Krause EC, Chen SN, Pauli GE
PMID: 25296437 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Progress in the chemistry of organic natural products)
Source: Progress in the chemistry of organic natural products - December 1, 2014 Category: Chemistry Tags: Prog Chem Org Nat Prod Source Type: research
Efficacy of a Standardized Isopropanolic Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Extract in Treatment of Uterine Fibroids in Comparison With Tibolone Among Patients With Menopausal Symptoms
No abstract available (Source: Holistic Nursing Practice)
Source: Holistic Nursing Practice - October 21, 2014 Category: Nursing Tags: Herbals and Nutritional Supplements Source Type: research
Antidiabetic effects of the Cimicifuga racemosa extract Ze 450 in vitro and in vivo in ob/ob mice
Conclusions: Ze 450 may have utility in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, longer term studies in additional animal models or patients with disturbed glucose tolerance or diabetes may be of use to investigate this further. (Source: Phytomedicine)
Source: Phytomedicine - July 11, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: C. Moser, S.P. Vickers, R. Brammer, S.C. Cheetham, J. Drewe Source Type: research
Cimicifuga racemosa extract for relieving menopausal symptoms: a randomized controlled trial.
Conclusions: A black cohosh extract of 40 mg/d is not superior to a placebo for relieving moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms or improving quality of life scores in Thai women.
PMID: 24941138 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Climacteric)
Source: Climacteric - June 18, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tanmahasamut P, Vichinsartvichai P, Rattanachaiyanont M, Techatraisak K, Dangrat C, Sardod P Tags: Climacteric Source Type: research
