A Meta‐Analysis: Anti‐Inflammatory Medicinal Plants for Age‐Related Menopause‐Like Symptoms and Psychological Problems in Breast Cancer and Healthy Perimenopausal Women

BACKGROUND: Medicinal plant supplements (MPS) have benefits in improving menopause-like symptoms (MLS). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of MPS in reducing MLS in healthy women and those with breast cancer (BC). SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database and Chinese Scientific Journals Database were searched from the date of library construction until 30 January 2024. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials were selected that involved healthy perimenopausal women, BC patients treated with herbal medicines, and the effects of plant-based compounds on MLS. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The review included 12 studies with 917 patients with BC and 15 studies with 2104 healthy perimenopausal women. The data were analysed using the Meta-mar tool. MAIN RESULTS: MPS improved Kupperman's Index (KMI) and menopause rating scale (MRS) scores compared with the comparator. Patients with BC experienced a greater reduction in KMI and MRS because of treatment than healthy perimenopausal women. Patients with BC had a more significant reduction in KMI than women who received hormone therapy. In both healthy perimenopausal women and women with BC, MPS treatment resulted in significantly higher response rates and fewer psychological problems. Women with BC experienced a decrease in anxiety and insomnia by MPS. Network analysis showed that the response rate was the factor most associated with MPS use. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-inflammatory MPS may assist women with BC or healthy perimenopausal women experience less MLS.