"Herbal Medicine Complex Extract Confirmed to Improve Menopausal Symptoms"

A study has found that a combined extract of Yeonjayuk (lotus seeds) and Hwangjeong (Polygonatum odoratum), the main herbal ingredients of 'Cheonggongdan,' a traditional Korean medicine primarily prescribed for gynecological diseases, is effective in treating menopause.

The research team led by Senior Researcher Park Doori at Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute announced on the 19th that they confirmed the efficacy and safety of Yeonjayuk and Hwangjeong in treating menopause through animal experiments. This study was published in the May issue of the SCI(E)-level international journal Nutrients (IF 6.706).

Senior Researcher Doori Park at Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute. [Photo by Jaseng Hanbang Hospital]

The research team conducted experiments on rats induced into a menopausal state through ovariectomy surgery. The rats were then divided into groups receiving Hwangjeong or Yeonjayuk alone, a combined Hwangjeong-Yeonjayuk treatment group, and a synthetic estrogen treatment group to compare and analyze the effects on menopause treatment. Each group was orally administered herbal extracts or synthetic estrogen for six weeks. The herbal extracts were administered at two concentrations (300 and 600 mg/kg) to observe changes according to dosage. Additionally, for the combined Hwangjeong-Yeonjayuk extract, experiments were conducted with ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 to find the most effective formulation.

First, to verify the safety of Hwangjeong and Yeonjayuk extracts, the team collected and stained epithelial cells from the endometrium and observed the expression levels of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), which assist the function of endogenous female hormones. Higher expression levels of ERα and ERβ are known to improve menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness; however, excessive increase in ERα is associated with potential side effects like endometrial hyperplasia.

As a result, the synthetic estrogen group showed the highest ERα expression compared to other treatment groups. In contrast, the combined Hwangjeong-Yeonjayuk group exhibited higher ERβ expression than the groups treated with Hwangjeong or Yeonjayuk alone, while suppressing ERα expression. The research team interpreted that the combined treatment group demonstrated higher safety without side effects.

The group treated with a combination of Hwangjeong and Yeonjayuk was found to suppress ERα expression and promote ERβ expression compared to the control groups. [Provided by Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine]

Furthermore, the combined Hwangjeong-Yeonjayuk extract showed superior effects in reducing osteoporosis, obesity, and depressive symptoms. The team conducted experiments including tibial bone imaging, triglyceride measurement, and serotonin concentration analysis for each treatment group. The results showed that among all groups, the herbal treatment groups had lower triglyceride levels and bone loss rates, and higher blood serotonin levels, known as the happiness hormone. Notably, the combined treatment group showed concentration-dependent improvements, with the 2:1 ratio demonstrating greater efficacy than the 1:1 ratio.

Senior Researcher Park Doori stated, "Through this paper, we newly confirmed the effects of combined extracts of herbal medicines primarily used in traditional Korean medicine for menopause treatment," adding, "We will continue to research traditional Korean medicine treatments that show excellent therapeutic effects on menopausal symptoms."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.