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This study evaluated the efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus YT1 (MENOLACTO) for alleviating menopausal symptoms. This study was a multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving female subjects (ages: 40–60 years) with menopausal symptoms and a Kupperman index (KMI) score ≥ 20. Subjects were administered 1 × 108 CFU/day MENOLACTO or placebo, with the primary endpoint being total KMI score, and the effect of secondary endpoints on alleviating menopausal symptoms according to individual categories of the modified KMI, as well as a quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL questionnaire). After 12 weeks, total KMI scores decreased significantly, demonstrating improved menopausal symptoms relative to placebo along with improved modified KMI scores. Additionally, quality of life, according to the MENQOL questionnaire, significantly improved in all four symptoms—physical, psychosocial, vasomotor, and sexual symptoms. Moreover, we observed no significant difference between the two groups or significant changes in blood follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels or endometrial thickness. These results demonstrated that MENOLACTO alleviated menopausal symptoms without notable side effects and improved quality of life, suggesting its efficacy as an alternative supplement to alleviate menopausal symptoms in women ineligible for hormonal therapy.

Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. (Zingiberaceae) extract exerts protective activity against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced toxicity in HepG2 cells, and the antioxidant response element (ARE) luciferase activity increased 6-fold at 30 μg/mL in HepG2 cells transiently transfected with ARE-luciferase. To identify active molecules, activity-guided isolation of the crude extract led to four sesquiterpenes (1, 2, 5, 6) and two diarylheptanoids (3 and 4) from an n-hexane extract and six sesquiterpenes (7–12) from an ethyl acetate extract. Chemical structures were elucidated by one-dimensional, two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D-, 2D-NMR), and mass (MS) spectral data. Among the isolated compounds, eudesma-3,11-dien-2-one (2) promoted the nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and increased the promoter property of the ARE. Diarylheptanoids, yakuchinone A (3), and 5′-hydroxyl-yakuchinone A (4) showed radical scavenging activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays. Furthermore, optimization of extraction solvents (ratios of water and ethanol) was performed by comparison of contents of active compounds, ARE-inducing activity, radical scavenging activity, and HepG2 cell protective activity. As a result, 75% ethanol was the best solvent for the extraction of A. oxyphylla fruit. This study demonstrated that A. oxyphylla exerted antioxidant effects via the Nrf2/HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) pathway and radical scavenging along with active markers eudesma-3,11-dien-2-one (2) and yakuchinone A (3).

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