Insights & Discussion
The present study indicated that acupuncture had an advantage over hormone replacement therapy in reducing serum FSH level and increasing serum E2 level in women with premature ovarian insufficiency.
Eight eligible RCTs with a total of 496 POI patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that there was a significant reduction in the basal serum FSH level and a remarkable elevation in the basal E2 level in the acupuncture group when compared with the control. Subgroup analysis showed that compared with HRT, a significant decrease in the FSH level was observed in both acupuncture alone and acupuncture plus HRT, while a remarkable elevation of E2 was only found in acupuncture plus HRT. There was no significant difference in the LH level between acupuncture and HRT, only one trial reported AMH, and no significant difference was found between acupuncture and HRT.
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Fermented soy milk significantly improves lipid profiles and fertility in a model of premenopausal mice, due to increased bioavailability and action of beneficial compounds.
2023 Food Research International Effect of fermented soy beverage in aged female mice model Ruiz de la Bastida A, Langa S, Peirotén , Fernández-Gonzalez R, Sánchez-Jiménez A, Maroto M, et al.
Animal Study Menopause Ovarian Function Soy Milk
In this study, non-fermented soy beverage (SB) and soy beverage fermented with Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum INIA P815 (FSB) were tested on both cyclic and acyclic C57BL/6J aged female mice which mimic premenopause and menopause conditions respectively. Over a period of 36 days, the beverages were given to the mice and the variables measured included body weight, lipid and inflammatory profile and fertility. In addition, hepatic gene expressions were examined and the faecal microbiota composition was assessed to further understand the effects of the two beverages.
In the results, FSB displayed a higher concentration of the aglycones daidzein and genistein as well as increased antioxidant activity due to the fermentation process. The cyclic mice that were given FSB experienced a significant rise in the number of oocytes and zygotes retrieved. It was also noticed that the triglycerides were lower in the groups that were given FSB compared to the SB groups. However, it was found that neither of the treatments significantly influenced the inflammatory profile or caused a major shift in intestinal microbiota or hepatic gene expressions in either of the groups. Still, it was observed that FSB had more health benefits than SB with regards to the lipid profile and fertility in the cyclic mice, likely due to the increased bioavailability and bioactivity of compounds due to fermentation.
The Chinese medicine formulas Zuo Gui Wan and You Gui Wan have the potential to treat premature ovarian failure through different pharmacological pathways.
2022 Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening A Network Pharmacology Study on the Similarities and Differences in the Mechanisms of Zuo Gui Wan/You Gui Wan for the Treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure Shanshan Mei, Chaoqin Yu, Jie Ding, Wen Cheng
Network Pharmacology Ovarian Insufficiency Premature ovarian failure (POF) You Gui Wan
This study used a public database to identify the active ingredients and potential targets of the Zuo Gui Wan and You Gui Wan compounds. These were analyzed in relation to premature ovarian failure (POF) related genes obtained from OMIM and GeneCards. A protein-protein interaction network was established using STRING, and a drug-active ingredient-target gene network was constructed. The study thus identified similarities and differences in potential targets, active ingredients, and enriched pathways between the two compounds.
Analyzing the drug-target-pathway network revealed that both compounds contain multiple common active ingredients, as well as unique components, and share several targets in the treatment of POF, showing similar core mechanisms of action. However, each compound also targets some unique pathways, which indicates their differential approaches to POF treatment.
In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, cinnamon reduced insulin resistance and testosterone levels similar to metformin, and ginger decreased follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones.
2022 Frontiers in Nutrition A comparison of the effects of cinnamon, ginger, and metformin consumption on metabolic health, anthropometric indices, and sexual hormone levels in women with poly cystic ovary syndrome: A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial Dastgheib M, Barati-Boldaji R, Bahrampour N, Taheri R, Borghei M, Amooee S, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Ceylon Cinnamon Cinnamon FSH
In the methodology of the study, 100 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome were divided into four groups. Each group received a different treatment: cinnamon, ginger, metformin, or placebo. The dosage for these treatments was 500 mg, three times a day, administered over a period of 8 weeks. The participants' sex hormones, weight revelations, along with glycemic and lipid markers were monitored before and after this period. Several participants were disqualified because of unspecified factors, resulting in a final sample size of 83.
In terms of results, all groups saw a decrease in weight and body mass index. The metformin and cinnamon groups specifically had notably decreases in their insulin resistance, meaning that these treatments were effective in improving metabolic health. Additionally, the ginger group experienced a reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels unlike the other groups. Testosterone levels were lowered in the metformin and cinnamon groups, but no significant changes in dehydroepiandrosterone were observed in any of the groups. These results indicate the potential use of cinnamon and ginger as alternative treatments in managing polycystic ovary syndrome.
Acupuncture alone or combined with standard care was associated with significant improvements in perimenopausal depression and reductions of other menopausal symptoms.
2021 Frontiers in Psychiatry Acupuncture as an Independent or Adjuvant Management to Standard Care for Perimenopausal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Zhao FY, Fu QQ, Kennedy GA, Conduit R, Zhang WJ, Zheng Z
Systematic Review HRT Perimenopausal Depression
Our review found that acupuncture was better than standard care alone in reducing HAMD score by 1.4–3.6, which is of clinical significance—acupuncture is better than or at least equivalent to antidepressant in improving perimenopausal women's depression. In addition to the satisfactory short-term effects, the intermediate- and long-term benefits of acupuncture against PMD outlast those of antidepressants. Long-term clinical efficacy is crucial in the management of depressive symptoms, as depression is characterized by a high recurrence rate. Frequent relapse of depression and withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants are also two major reasons for numerous patients reject psychotropic agents and seek help from CAM therapy.
It is interesting to note that acupuncture also improved perimenopausal symptoms (decreased KI scores), better than either antidepressant alone or antidepressant combined with HRT, reflecting different underlying mechanisms of the two interventions (acupuncture vs. pharmacotherapy).
The date palm enhances both male and female fertility parameters through its nutritional attributes and antioxidant functionality.
2021 Metabolites Therapeutic Potential of Date Palm against Human Infertility: A Review Shehzad M, Rasheed H, Naqvi SA, Al-Khayri JM, Lorenzo JM, Alaghbari MA, et al.
Review Article Date Fruit Female Fertility Ovarian Function
The research conducted a thorough review of the role of date palm in treating infertility. The health benefits of date palm and its varied components were explored, with a focus on their effects on reproductive parameters in both sexes. The comprehensive review shed light on how the substantial nutrients and antioxidant features of date palm can be beneficial for people dealing with infertility.
In men, the study found direct links between consumption of date palm and improved hormonal levels alongside notable enhancements in seminal vesicle parameters and sperm quality. For women, this natural remedy showed a positive impact on the process of oogenesis, hormone regulation, and improving pregnancy outcomes. The focus was on the potential of date fruit as a natural enhancer of fertility, downplaying the role of any synthetic or invasive medical interventions. The study thus testifies to the innovative use of a widely available natural resource in addressing a pressing health issue.
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