Estrogenic Plants: to Prevent Neurodegeneration and Memory Loss and Other Symptoms in Women After Menopause Original paper

What was reviewed?

This comprehensive review synthesized current evidence on medicinal plants and natural compounds with estrogenic activity, focusing on their potential to prevent neurodegeneration, memory loss, and other menopause-related symptoms in women. The authors conducted an extensive literature search using SCOPUS, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, focusing on plants with established estrogenic activity. The paper details the pharmacological effects of these plants and their phytoestrogenic constituents, highlighting mechanisms involving estrogen receptor modulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions. Special emphasis is placed on the potential of these compounds to alleviate cognitive deficits during menopause and aging, as well as their roles in preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Who was reviewed?

The review encompassed a wide range of studies, including preclinical research in cellular and animal models, as well as clinical trials and meta-analyses involving postmenopausal women. The included studies span healthy female and male subjects, women undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT), postmenopausal women, and patients with neurodegenerative conditions. The botanical scope was global, drawing on traditional medicinal plants from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with particular focus on species commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and Western herbalism.

Most important findings

The review identifies a diverse array of estrogenic plants, such as soy, red clover, black cohosh, sage (Salvia officinalis), ginger, and others, that contain phytoestrogens capable of binding to and modulating estrogen receptors. These plants offer cognitive and neuroprotective benefits through multiple mechanisms: selective estrogen receptor modulation, antioxidant effects, and anti-inflammatory actions. For instance, soy isoflavones, red clover, and Lespedeza bicolor have demonstrated memory-enhancing effects and reduction of amyloid-beta pathology in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. Some clinical trials report improvement in menopausal symptoms, quality of life, and cognitive performance with phytoestrogen supplementation, although results are sometimes inconsistent.

Key implications

The findings underscore the promise of estrogenic plants as safer, potentially effective alternatives to conventional HRT for managing menopausal symptoms and reducing neurodegenerative disease risk. Their selective activity on estrogen receptors, along with concurrent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, positions them as multi-target interventions for aging-related cognitive decline. Importantly for clinical practice, these botanicals may offer neuroprotection without the increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease associated with conventional HRT, especially when used early in menopause. The review highlights the need for further high-quality, long-term clinical trials to clarify efficacy, optimal timing, and safety.