06.01.10
Nutraceutical: Red clover
Indication: Depression
Source: Maturitis, March 2010;65(3):258-61.
Research: Researchers set out to examine the effect of isoflavones derived from red clover extracts on anxiety and depressive symptoms among postmenopausal women. One hundred and nine postmenopausal women aged 40 or older were randomly assigned to receive two daily capsules of 80 mg red clover isoflavones (MF11RCE) or placebo for 90 days. After a washout period of 7 days, medication was crossed over and taken for 90 more days. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured at baseline, 90 and 187 days with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zung’s Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS).
Results: After receiving the MF11RCE compound the total HADS anxiety and depression subscale scores and the total SDS scores decreased significantly. This effect was equivalent to a 77% reduction in the total HADS score—76% for anxiety and 78% for depression—and an 81% reduction in the total SDS score. After placebo, total HADS anxiety and depression subscale and total SDS scores also decreased significantly in comparison to baseline but only equivalent to an average 22% decline.