Satavari and Ashoka for Menopause (SAM) Study

Summary

This 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of a daily oral supplement containing Ashoka Bark and Shatavari in women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Up to 50 participants will be randomized to receive either the active supplement or placebo, with 40 participants expected to complete the study. Participants will attend visits at Weeks 0, 6, and 12, where hormone levels (FSH and estradiol), menopausal symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, cognitive function, and sleep will be assessed using validated measures. The study will also explore changes in the vaginal microbiome and monitor safety and adherence throughout the trial. The study will be conducted at MusB Research in New Port Richey, Florida.

Detailed Description

Menopause is a natural biological transition resulting from the progressive decline of ovarian function and decreased production of estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal transition is commonly accompanied by elevations in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and a wide range of symptoms, including vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats), sleep disturbances, mood changes, cognitive complaints, fatigue, urogenital symptoms, and reductions in overall quality of life. Approximately 1.3 million women enter menopause annually in the United States, and nearly 75% experience symptoms that are moderate to severe. The resulting impact on healthcare utilization, work productivity, and quality of life contributes substantially to the national healthcare burden. Hormonal changes associated with menopause also influence the composition of the vaginal and skin microbiomes. Declining estrogen levels are associated with reductions in Lactobacillus species, altered microbial diversity, decreased epithelial integrity, reduced skin hydration, and increased susceptibility to irritation and infection. Although these biological changes have been increasingly recognized, relatively few interventional studies have evaluated whether botanical therapies influence both menopausal symptoms and the vaginal microbial environment. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains an effective treatment for many women but is not appropriate or acceptable for all individuals because of contraindications, safety concerns, or personal preference. Consequently, there is growing interest in safe, evidence-based, non-hormonal interventions that may alleviate menopausal symptoms while minimizing treatment-related risks. Ashoka Bark (Saraca asoca) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) have been used for centuries in traditional systems of medicine to support women's reproductive and hormonal health. Both botanicals contain naturally occurring bioactive compounds with reported phytoestrogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic properties that may contribute to improvements in menopausal symptoms. Preliminary evidence suggests these ingredients may support hormonal balance, emotional well-being, sleep quality, and overall quality of life; however, high-quality randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials remain limited. Additional well-designed clinical research is needed to evaluate their efficacy and safety using standardized outcome measures and objective biological assessments. The present study has been designed to evaluate a proprietary botanical formulation containing Ashoka Bark and Shatavari ("Beauty Within") in women experiencing menopausal symptoms. The study seeks to determine whether daily supplementation produces clinically meaningful improvements in menopausal symptom severity, hormone profiles, and health-related quality of life compared with placebo in the post-menopausal women. This randomized, placebo-controlled, 12-week clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of a daily oral supplement containing Ashoka Bark and Shatavari in women with menopausal symptoms. The primary objectives are to assess changes in serum FSH and estradiol levels and improvements in menopausal symptoms measured by the MRS, GCS, and KMI. Secondary objectives include evaluating quality of life using the MENQOL questionnaire and changes in anxiety, cognitive function, and sleep disturbance using PROMIS measures. An exploratory objective will assess changes in the vaginal microbiome following treatment. Validated patient-reported outcome instruments, including the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS), Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS), Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures, provide standardized methods for evaluating symptom severity and health-related quality of life in menopausal women. In addition, laboratory assessment of reproductive hormones, particularly FSH and estradiol, provides objective measures that complement clinical symptom assessment. The study will be conducted at MusB Research (New Port Richey, Florida) and will randomize up to 50 participants to achieve 40 study completers (20 active treatment and 20 placebo). Participants will attend three study visits over 12 weeks: baseline (Week 0), midpoint (Week 6), and endpoint (Week 12). Assessments include informed consent, eligibility screening, blood collection for FSH and estradiol, validated symptom and quality-of-life questionnaires, safety monitoring, adherence assessment, and optional vaginal microbiome sampling. Participants will take one capsule daily containing either the active botanical formulation or placebo throughout the study.

Eligibility Criteria

Interventions