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

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cimicifuga 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 STUDY

This 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 METHODS

Breast 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.

RESULTS

Totally, 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).

CONCLUSIONS

Cimicifuga racemose is effective, oncological safe and reliable for treatment of MPS caused by LHRH-a in breast cancer.

A menopause survey of women with benign breast disease history in northwest China

Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of menopause syndrome (MPS) and the present treatment status for menopause symptoms in women with benign breast disease history, compared with those without breast problems, and to analyze the affecting factors of medical visits and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) application for menopause symptoms. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted by face-to-face interview with a general sample of 8500 Chinese women aged 45-55 years from 162 villages and towns of Gansu province, China. Results: The MPS prevalence in the Benign breast disease history group was 76.60%, and was not statistically different from that of the Control group. Few of the participants had medical visits or had undergone treatment. The Benign breast disease history group was more informed of the treatment options available and more likely to start HRT. Conclusions: Most women with benign breast disease history experienced menopausal symptoms when experiencing reproductive senescence, they had more knowledge about menopause syndrome and more positive to the therapeutic than whom without breast problems.