Menopause is a significant phase in a woman's life. Menopausal symptoms can affect overall well-being and quality of life. Conventionally, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms; however, depending on the conditions, HRT may lead to side effects, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapies with fewer side effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of a combination of soybean germ extract (S30) containing 30% (w/w) isoflavone and a probiotic, Lactobacillus gasseri (LGA1), on menopausal conditions in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. We evaluated the impact of S30+LGA on body weight, estrogen markers, uterine and bone health, vascular markers, and neurotransmitter levels. The results revealed that treatment with S30+LGA1 significantly improved body weight and uterine and bone health. Moreover, S30+LGA1 demonstrated promising effects on lipid profile, liver function, and vascular markers and positively impacted serotonin and norepinephrine levels, indicating potential mood-enhancing effects. In conclusion, S30+LGA1, possessing anti-menopausal effects in vitro and in vivo, can be recommended as a soy-based diet, which offers various health benefits, especially for menopausal women.
Keywords: aglycone; isoflavone; lactic acid bacteria; menopause; probiotics; soybean germ extract.