Effectiveness of Licorice Extract Dietary Supplement on the Treatment of Postmenopausal Symptoms

• A beneficial effect of the licorice extract on postmenopausal symptoms (vasomotor symptoms, and nocturnal episodes) in symptomatic postmenopausal women [ Time Frame: 20 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

  This outcome will be measured by:

  a diary in which she should report daily. The reporting would be for 3 parameters: number of hot flushes per day, wakefull night episodes and nocturnal sweating measured by Greens Climateric Scale

  
  
• A beneficial effect of the licorice extract on vaginal complaints in symptomatic postmenopausal women [ Time Frame: 20 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  this objective will be measured by Pap Smear, Vaginal Ultra sound and vaginal PH
  
  

Dietary Supplement: Calmera-Licorice Root Extract (Licogen)
100 mg per day
Other Name: Licogen

The estrogenic properties of glabridin, the major isoflavan in licorice root, were tested in view of the resemblance of its structure and lipophilicity to those of estradiol. The results indicate that glabridin is a phytoestrogen, binding to the human estrogen receptor and stimulating creatine kinase activity in rat uterus, epiphyseal cartilage, diaphyseal bone, aorta, and left ventricle of the heart. The stimulatory effects of 2.5-25 mg/animal glabridin were similar to those of 5 mg/animal estradiol. Chemical modification of glabridin showed that the position of the hydroxyl groups has a significant role in binding to the human estrogen receptor and in proliferation-inducing activity. Glabridin was found to be three to four times more active than 2*-O-methylglabridin and 4*-O-methylglabridin, and both derivatives were more active than 2*,4*- O-methylglabridin. The effect of increasing concentrations of glabridin on the growth of breast tumor cells was biphasic. Glabridin showed an estrogen receptor-dependent, growth-promoting effect at low concentrations (10 nM-10 mM) and estrogen receptor-independent antiproliferative activity at concentrations of >15 mM. This is the first study to indicate that isoflavans have estrogen-like activities. Glabridin and its derivatives exhibited varying degrees of estrogen receptor agonism in different tests and demonstrated growth-inhibitory actions on breast cancer cells.