Effect of Pueraria mirifica on vaginal health

Abstract

Pueraria mirifica was proven to exhibit estrogenicity on vaginal tissue, to alleviate vaginal dryness symptoms and dyspareunia, to improve signs of vaginal atrophy, and to restore the atrophic vaginal epithelium in healthy postmenopausal women.

Differential binding with ERα and ERβ of the phytoestrogen-rich plant Pueraria mirifica

“…The plant is a rich source of phytoestrogens including mirestrol (13), deoxymirestrol (14) and isoflavonoids (15,16). The plant's powdered tuber has been shown to improve the lipid profiles and biochemical markers of bone turnover rates (17) and the recovery of vaginal health (18) in clinical trials with menopausal Thai females and also to provide other health benefits as demonstrated in animal tests such as prevention of osteoporosis (19,20), breast cancer (21) and estrogen deficiency replacement (22,23). However, there is only one report about this plant that demonstrated the action of the plant phytoestrogens at the ERα and ERβ level (21).…”

Pueraria mirifica leaves, an alternative potential isoflavonoid source

“…The highest concentration of DMSO in each dilution was 1% (v/v). The YES assay was performed as described elsewhere 18) with modification as follows. Yeasts were grown in synthetic dextrose (SD) minimal medium supplemented with adenine (SDA; 0.67% (w/v) yeast nitrogen base without amino acids, 2% (w/v) glucose, and 0.002% (w/v) adenine sulfate) with vigorous shaking overnight (30°C).…”

“…P. lobata has been analyzed for the purpose of the potential development of the plant products or chemicals for the benefit of the food industry, 17) whereas P. mirifica has been subjected to long-term studies to establish products for menopausal treatment. 18,19) At present, these two plants are used as the main botanical ingredients in cosmetic and dietary supplement products.…”

Improvements of Vaginal Atrophy without Systemic Side Effects after Topical Application of <i>Pueraria mirifica</i>, a Phytoestrogen-rich Herb, in Postmenopausal Cynomolgus Macaques

“…The estrogenic activity of PM has been established in animal experiments and clinical trials, especially that association with vaginal proliferation [9,10,11,12,13,14]. Rats fed with PM at a dose of 50 to 1,000 mg/kg/day elicited a dose-dependent vaginal cornification [9,10,11,12,14].…”

“…Rats fed with PM at a dose of 50 to 1,000 mg/kg/day elicited a dose-dependent vaginal cornification [9,10,11,12,14]. Oral administration of 20 to 50 mg/day of PM for 24 weeks in healthy postmenopausal women resulted in increased vaginal proliferation, ablation of vaginal dryness symptoms and dyspareunia and a reduction in vaginal pH to acidic levels, but these also elicited adverse side effects, such as urticaria, in some patients [13]. …”