Activity of isoflavones and berberine on vasomotor symptoms and lipid profile in menopausal women

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a food supplement combination based on isoflavones and berberine (ISB) in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and dyslipidaemia. Isoflavones are extracted from soy and absorbed in the body after being activated by lactobacillus. Berberine, extracted from the plant Berberis aristata, lowers plasma cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) by increasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors and reducing hepatic synthesis of TG. One hundred twenty women with a mean age of 54.8 +/- 0.6 years were enrolled and randomized to treatment with ISB (estromineral lipid [EL] = 60 cases) or calcium and vitamin D-3 (CaD = 60 cases). Menopausal symptoms, plasma cholesterol, and TG were evaluated at baseline, and after 4 and 12 weeks. EL treatment significantly lowered plasma total cholesterol (-13.5% +/- 0.7 vs -0.2% +/- 0.5), LDL cholesterol (-12.4% +/- 1.5 vs + 0.8 % +/- 0.7) and TG (-18.9% +/- 2.5 vs -1.3% +/- 1.2) and improved menopausal symptoms compared with CaD treatment. Safety parameters were unchanged during the study. The combination of berberine and isoflavones was effective in lowering cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in menopausal women with moderate dyslipidaemia and in improving their quality of life.