Challenges in the Conduct of Thai Herbal Scientific Study: Efficacy and Safety of Phytoestrogen, Pueraria Mirifica (Kwao Keur Kao), Phase I, in the Alleviation of Climacteric Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women
Verapol Chandeying MD*, Surachai Lamlertkittikul MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla ** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hat Yai Regional Hospital, Hat Yai, Songkhla
Objective : To evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of Pueraria mirifica (Kwao Keur Kao), phytoestrogen,
for the alleviation of climacteric symptoms.
Materials and Methods : Perimenopausal women attending with climacteric symptoms, such as hot flushes and
night sweats, were invited to join the present study, conducted at the Menopausal Clinic, Hat Yai Regional
Hospital. The patients were voluntarily enrolled and randomly received the raw material of Pueraria mirifica,
oral 50 and 100 mg capsule, once daily for six months, as an open-label study.
Results : Of the 10 enrolled patients, 8 cases were completely evaluated. The modified Greene climacteric scale
(MGCS) was satisfactorily decreased in both groups. The average scale declined from 44.1 at baseline, to be
26, 17, and 11.1 at 1-, 3-, and 6- month follow-up respectively. No other laboratory abnormalities, except one
case had transiently increased the creatinine level, and one case of increased blood urea nitrogen. The mean
serum estradiol was slightly increased, while the mean serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteiniz-
ing hormone (LH) were nearly stable.
Conclusion : Pueraria mirifica is relatively safe and preliminarily alleviates the climacteric symptoms in
perimenopausal women, but the data is insufficient to draw definite conclusions regarding the estrogenic
effect.
Keywords : Pueraria mirifica, Phytoestrogen, Kwao Keur Kao, Perimenopausal women, Climacteric symptoms
