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The present randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study investigated the effect of a standardized fenugreek extract (FHE) on perimenopausal discomforts and its influence on hormonal balance and safety. Healthy women characterized with perimenopausal symptoms (n = 48), as assessed by MRS questionnaire, were randomized either to FHE (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24) and supplemented with 250 mg × 2/day for 42 days. Both inter and intra‐group comparison revealed a significant improvement in somatic, psychological, and urogenital scores in FHE group, especially for hot flashes (25.9%), night sweats (26.5%), depression (31.8%), and insomnia (21.6%). Further hormone analysis revealed an enhancement in serum estradiol (18.9%), free testosterone (38.2%), and progesterone (19.9%) concentrations and a significant decrease in FSH (38.2%) and SHBG (21.1%) concentrations toward establishing a hormonal balance among FHE‐group; without significant changes in other clinical safety parameters. Thus, FHE supplementation offered a significant reduction in vasomotor effects and depression in perimenopausal women, without any adverse effects Practical applications: Fenugreek is a popular kitchen spice and Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of health conditions including diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hepatotoxicity, gastritis, and also for a variety of hormone‐related health conditions such as sexual functions, lactation, osteoporosis, PCOS, and post/perimenopausal discomforts. Fenugreek is rich in alkaloids, steroidal saponins, flavonoids and 4‐hydroxyisoleucine. The present randomized‐controlled study investigated the plausible application of a standardized hydro‐ethanolic extract of fenugreek seeds (FHE) having a unique 3:1 ratio for protodioscin to trigonelline in the management of perimenopausal discomforts. It was observed that FHE at a dosage of 250 mg × 2/day for 42 days significantly reduced the discomforts, especially vasomotor symptoms and depression, and helped to attain a hormonal balance without any adverse effects or deviations in clinical safety parameters. Thus, FHE could be a potential natural agent for the management of post and perimenopausal discomforts and has to be explored in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Poor intestinal absorption has been regarded as a major limiting factor for the therapeutic use of curcumin, the primary active constituent of turmeric. Herein, we investigated the bioavailability of a novel formulation of curcumin-impregnated soluble dietary fibre dispersions (BR213 curcumagalactomannosides) comprising an extensive gel forming and non-digestible soluble galactomannan fibre derived from the spice fenugreek. The dispersions were prepared as microgranulates of mean particle size 150±20μm by an ultrasound mediated gel-phase dispersion technique. In vitro release studies at pH 1.2 and 6.8 showed slow and prolonged release of colloidal curcumin from the amorphous microgranulates of curcumin-impregnated soluble fibre. Enhanced bioavailability of the new formulation was further demonstrated in animals (Wistar rats) and human volunteers in comparison with unformulated curcumin. It was observed that the relative absorption of curcumin from the novel fibre formulation, as evident from the area under curve calculations, was 20 times higher in animals and 15.8 times higher in humans when supplemented orally. Maximum absorption was also found to be prolonged as compared to the unformulated curcumin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]