Obstetrics & Gynecology Track the topics, authors and articles important to you
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005;105:1074-1083
© 2005 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Erratum (v106,p644)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Osmers, R.
Right arrow Articles by Henneicke-von Zepelin, H.-H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Osmers, R.
Right arrow Articles by Henneicke-von Zepelin, H.-H.
Related Collections
Right arrow Alternative Medicine
Right arrow Menopause and HRT

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Efficacy and Safety of Isopropanolic Black Cohosh Extract for Climacteric Symptoms

Ruediger Osmers, MD, PhD*, Michael Friede, PhD{dagger}, Eckehard Liske, PhD{dagger}, Joerg Schnitker, PhD{ddagger}, Johannes Freudenstein, PhD{dagger} and Hans-Heinrich Henneicke-von Zepelin, PhD{dagger}

From the *Hildesheim General Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hildesheim; {dagger}Schaper & Brümmer GmbH & Co. KG, Salzgitter; and {ddagger}Institut für Angewandte Statistik GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany.

Address reprint requests to: Address correspondence to: Rüdiger Osmers, MD, PhD, Hildesheim General Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weinberg 1 31134, Hildesheim, Germany; e mail: frauenklinik{at}stk-hildesheim.de.

OBJECTIVE: Several clinical studies suggest that black cohosh may be effective in climacteric complaints. However, evidence of its efficacy based on current quality standards has been limited.

METHODS: This randomized, multicenter, double-blind clinical trial compared the efficacy and tolerability of the isopropanolic black cohosh extract in the treatment of climacteric complaints compared with placebo. A total of 304 patients were randomly allocated to receive tablets corresponding to 40 mg drug or matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was the change from baseline on the Menopause Rating Scale I; secondary measures included changes in its subscores and safety variables.

RESULTS: Patient groups did not differ in baseline characteristics. The isopropanolic black cohosh extract was more effective than placebo (P < .001) depending on time from symptom onset (P = .014) and follicle-stimulating hormone level (P = .011). The effect size was 0.03 to 0.05 Menopause Rating Scale units which is similar to recent hormone replacement therapy study results (0.036 Menopause Rating Scale units) and may therefore be considered clinically relevant. Women in the early climacteric phase benefited more than in the late phase. The hot flush subscore was the most effective measure of the isopropanolic black cohosh extract's efficacy. There were no relevant group differences in adverse events, laboratory findings, or tolerability.

CONCLUSION: This isopropanolic extract of black cohosh root stock is effective in relieving climacteric symptoms, especially in early climacteric women.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Arch Intern MedHome page
A. Nedrow, J. Miller, L. H. Huffman, P. Nygren, M. Walker, and H. D. Nelson
Alternatives for Menopause--Reply
Arch Intern Med, March 12, 2007; 167(5): 515 - 516.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ANN INTERN MEDHome page
K. M. Newton, S. D. Reed, A. Z. LaCroix, L. C. Grothaus, K. Ehrlich, and J. Guiltinan
Treatment of Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause with Black Cohosh, Multibotanicals, Soy, Hormone Therapy, or Placebo: A Randomized Trial
Ann Intern Med, December 19, 2006; 145(12): 869 - 879.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Evid. Based Med.Home page
A. M Cheung
Black cohosh and St John's wort reduced climacteric and depressive symptoms
Evid. Based Med., October 1, 2006; 11(5): 148 - 148.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch Intern MedHome page
A. Nedrow, J. Miller, M. Walker, P. Nygren, L. H. Huffman, and H. D. Nelson
Complementary and alternative therapies for the management of menopause-related symptoms: a systematic evidence review.
Arch Intern Med, July 24, 2006; 166(14): 1453 - 1465.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JCOHome page
B. A. Pockaj, J. G. Gallagher, C. L. Loprinzi, P. J. Stella, D. L. Barton, J. A. Sloan, B. I. Lavasseur, R. M. Rao, T. R. Fitch, K. M. Rowland, et al.
Phase III Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial of Black Cohosh in the Management of Hot Flashes: NCCTG Trial N01CC1
J. Clin. Oncol., June 20, 2006; 24(18): 2836 - 2841.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Obstet GynecolHome page
R. Uebelhack, J.-U. Blohmer, H.-J. Graubaum, R. Busch, J. Gruenwald, and K.-D. Wernecke
Black Cohosh and St. John's Wort for Climacteric Complaints: A Randomized Trial
Obstet. Gynecol., February 1, 2006; 107(2): 247 - 255.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Obstet GynecolHome page
S. Reed, K. Newton, A. LaCroix, and L. Grothaus
Efficacy and Safety of Isopropanolic Black Cohosh Extract for Climacteric Symptoms
Obstet. Gynecol., November 1, 2005; 106(5): 1111 - 1111.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JWatch GeneralHome page
Black Cohosh Is Effective in Relieving Menopausal Symptoms
Journal Watch (General), May 24, 2005; 2005(524): 3 - 3.
[Full Text]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2005 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.