The effects of black cohosh therapies on lipids, fibrinogen, glucose and insulin.

2007-06
Maturitas 57(2)
- Leslie Spangler
- Katherine M Newton
- Louis C Grothaus
- Susan D Reed
- Kelly Ehrlich
- Andrea Z LaCroix

PubMed: 17275226
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2007.01.002

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 310
Population: 351, 45-55 years old, peri or post-menopausal women experiencing vasomotor symptoms
Methods: 3-month, double blind trial with randomization to: (1) black cohosh (160 mg daily); (2) multibotanical including black cohosh (200 mg daily); (3) multibotanical plus soy diet counseling; (4) conjugated equine estrogen .625 mg, with or without medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5mg daily; (5) placebo
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 3 months
Funding: Unclear

Large Human Trial

Objective

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is an herb commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms. Little is known about its effect on other physiologic parameters that could result in untoward events. This study examines the effect of black cohosh on lipids, fibrinogen, glucose and insulin.

Methods

Three hundred and fifty-one, 45-55 years old, peri or post-menopausal women experiencing vasomotor symptoms participated in a 3-month, double blind trial with randomization to: (1) black cohosh (160 mg daily); (2) multibotanical including black cohosh (200 mg daily); (3) multibotanical plus soy diet counseling; (4) conjugated equine estrogen .625 mg, with or without medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5mg daily, for women with or without a uterus, respectively; (5) placebo. Baseline and month 3 total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (calculated), triglyceride, insulin, glucose, and fibrinogen serum concentrations were measured in 310 women. Baseline information was also collected on medical history, demographic characteristics, and diet.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted mean change from baseline to 3 months between the herbal groups and placebo in total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin. Adjusted fibrinogen levels appear to increase in the multibotanical treatment group in comparison with the other herbal groups and placebo overall (P = .02), but there was no statistically significant difference in the pairwise test against placebo (P = .11).

Conclusions

Black cohosh containing therapies had no demonstrable effects on lipids, glucose, insulin or fibrinogen.

Research Insights

Black Cohosh→Improved Insulin Levels
There were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted mean change from baseline to 3 months between the herbal groups and placebo in ... insulin
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
160 mg daily
Black Cohosh→Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels
There were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted mean change from baseline to 3 months between the herbal groups and placebo in ... HDL
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
160 mg daily
Black Cohosh→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
There were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted mean change from baseline to 3 months between the herbal groups and placebo in total cholesterol
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
160 mg daily
Black Cohosh→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels
There were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted mean change from baseline to 3 months between the herbal groups and placebo in ... glucose
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
160 mg daily
Black Cohosh→Reduced Fibrinogen Levels
Adjusted fibrinogen levels appear to increase in the multibotanical treatment group in comparison with the other herbal groups and placebo overall (P = .02), but there was no statistically significant difference in the pairwise test against placebo (P = .11)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
160 mg daily
Black Cohosh→Reduced LDL Cholesterol
There were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted mean change from baseline to 3 months between the herbal groups and placebo in ... LDL
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
160 mg daily
Black Cohosh→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
There were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted mean change from baseline to 3 months between the herbal groups and placebo in ... triglycerides
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
160 mg daily