Effects of herbal mixture extracts containing angelica gigas nakai and cuscuta chinensis lam. On menopausal symptoms in ovariectomized rats

During menopause, elderly woman experience physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. In this study, we investigated the effects of mixed herbal extracts containing Angelica gigas Nakai and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. on menopause symptoms in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Daily oral treatments of 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg in OVX rats for 8 weeks significantly reduced weight gain, inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation, and lowered serum lipid levels comparable to the effects induced by estradiol treatments. Mixed herbal extracts (named Jaeummidan) also prevented vaginal dryness as measured by increased vaginal weight. Increased vaginal weight was associated with enlarged epithelium thickness. These data show the preventive actions of Jaeummidan against menopause symptoms and further suggest the possibility of developing functional ingredients in elderly human populations experiencing menopause symptoms.