Evaluation of the effect ofSilybum marianumextract on menopausal symptoms: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial

The tendency to use herbs to manage menopausal symptoms has increased in recent years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect ofSilybum marianum(L.) compared with placebo in women with hot flashes. Eighty women were randomly allocated into two equal groups (S. marianumextract [400 mg/d] or placebo capsules). Hot flashes frequency and severity were evaluated in 12 weeks with the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and the Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS). The data were analyzed in SPSS software usingt-test, Mann-Whitney, chi-square test and repeated measure analysis. Hot flashes frequency and severity decreased from 4.32 +/- 0.20/day to 1.31 +/- 0.15/day and from 5.25 +/- 0.22 to 1.62 +/- 0.08, respectively, during the study in test group (p< .001) which were significantly better than effects of placebo in all steps of study (p< .001). Significant decreases in GCS and HFRDIS scores were also detected inS. marianumgroup compared with placebo after 4, 8 and 12 weeks (p< .001). The results showed thatS. marianumcan decrease frequency and severity of hot flashes significantly. Considering the safety and high consumption of this herbal medicine worldwide, its use in women with menopausal symptoms can be helpful.