A randomized controlled trial on the effect of Gushukang on bone mineral density in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine Gushukang on bone mineral density (BMD) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

METHODS

In this randomized trial, 156 women were assigned to three groups (n = 52 each): hormone therapy (HT), Chinese medicine (CM, Gushukang capsules), or combination therapy. Interventions lasted 6 months. Height, weight, and BMD were measured, and blood samples were taken to assess FSH, LH, E2, P, AST, ALT, BUN, and CRE levels before and after treatment. Changes in these indicators were compared.

RESULTS

Of the 156 participants, 142 completed the study (HT: 49, CM: 42, combination: 51). The median ages (Q1, Q3) of the three groups were 51.00 (47.00, 53.50), 53.00 (49.00, 57.00), and 51.00 (45.25, 54.00) years, respectively, with no significant difference. Pretreatment BMD values (mg/cm³) were 115.10 (102.90, 118.80), 107.40 (88.50, 114.65), and 113.25 (100.20, 118.98) for the HT, CM, and combination groups, respectively. After 6 months of treatment, the combination group showed a significant increase in BMD after treatment compared with before treatment (p < 0.01). In the hormone therapy and combination groups, FSH and LH levels decreased significantly, while E2 levels increased significantly after treatment (p < 0.05), whereas no significant differences in these indicators were observed in the Chinese medicine group. No significant differences in liver or kidney function were found in any of the three groups before and after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Both Gushukang and menopausal hormone therapy for 6 months can increase BMD in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women; however, combination therapy yields superior results.