Background: Menopause is a critical period with frequent sexual disorders. Objectives: The current study assessed the therapeutic effect of a combination of the aerial part of Melissa officinalis, fennel fruit extract, and Nigella sativa seed powder on the sexual dysfunction of postmenopausal women. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 48 menopausal women from April 2015 to October 2017. The participants included the menopausal women referring to the clinic of Gorgan health centers aged between 41 and 54 years with natural menopause (amenorrhea for at least 12 months) and discomfort in sexual activity. They were randomized into two treatment groups. Group 1 (n = 27) received 1000 mg capsules (Melissa officinalis, fennel extract, and Nigella sativa powder), and group 2 (n = 21) received a placebo (1000 mg starch capsules (in an eight-week course of treatment (one capsule per day for each group). The variables in the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire were compared in the two groups before and after the intervention. Results: The results showed that the mean scores of sexual dysfunction in the domains of arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Despite many studies on the effectiveness of Melissa, Foenculum, and Nigella, this study showed that a combination of Foeniculum vulgare, Melissa officinalis extract, and Nigella sativa seed powder does not improve the sexual function of postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction, and it might be the synergism effect of this combination.
23 March 2024 in Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products
Background: Acne scars are a common dermatological condition, presenting various challenges for those affected. Thus, identifying an effective treatment for the lesions left by acne is crucial. It is hypothesized that bromelain and curcumin may be effective in treating scars owing to their anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: This study represents the first clinical trial to evaluate the impact of a bromelain and curcumin combination on post-acne scar lesions. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on patients with acne scars. Patients were randomly divided into three groups (A: Bromelain-curcumin, B: Placebo, C: Bromelain-microencapsulated curcumin). Patients received either the supplement or placebo daily for one month. All three groups underwent standard AHA exfoliator treatment. After two and four weeks, the relevant questionnaires (Goodman-Baron's quantitative scoring) were completed to monitor changes in variables and to facilitate statistical analyses. Results: Seventy-six eligible patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The evaluation of the investigated variables showed that patients receiving the Anaheal Plus supplement (bromelain-curcumin) experienced significant improvements in erythema and inflammation, as well as more favorable outcomes in Goodman-Baron's quantitative scoring, while no significant improvements were observed in the other groups. Conclusions: Treatment with the bromelain-curcumin supplement reduced inflammation and erythema caused by acne vulgaris after 4 weeks. This combination could be a beneficial adjunct treatment in mitigating symptoms of post-acne scarring. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness in this context.
30 October 2025 in Journal of Molecular Neuroscience