Hysterectomy has a variety of medical indications and improves pre-operative symptoms but might compromise the quality of life during recovery due to symptoms such as fatigue, headache, nausea, depression, or pain. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a standardized extract from French oak wood (Quercus robur) containing at least 40% polyphenols of the ellagitannins class, Robuvit®, on convalescence and oxidative stress of women after hysterectomy. Recovery status was monitored with the SF-36 questionnaire. The supplementation with Robuvit® (300 mg/day) during 4 weeks significantly improved general and mental health, while under placebo some items significantly deteriorated. Oxidative stress and enhancement of MMP-9 activity was significantly reduced by Robuvit® versus placebo. After 8 weeks of intervention, the patients' condition improved independently of the intervention. Our results suggest that the use of Robuvit® as a natural supplement relieves post-operative symptoms of patients after hysterectomy and reduces oxidative stress. The study was registered with ID ISRCTN 11457040 (13/09/2019).
Keywords: Robuvit®; complementary medicine; hysterectomy; matrix metalloproteinases; oak wood extract; oxidative stress; post-operative recovery.