The effects of MS-10 dietary supplement, mixture of Korean thistle and thyme extracts, on bone health, and symptoms in menopausal women

Abstract In menopausal women, estrogen deficiency closely affects bone health. Previous studies report that MS-10, a combined extract of Cirsium japonicum and Thymus vulgaris , increases the efficiency of estrogen by activating the estrogen receptor. Here, the ability of MS-10 to enhance bone health and quality of life in women with menopausal symptoms was tested. Treatment with MS-10 induced alterations in the gene expression profile related with bone health of SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells. MS-10 increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin, and reduced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) activity in osteoblast-like cells. A clinical study showed that treatment with MS-10 (500 mg/day for 3 months) led to a significant decrease in ALP and osteocalcin levels. Also, women’s scores on the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire that takes into account vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual health, improved by 18.8%. In conclusion, the herbal material MS-10 may improve menopausal symptoms, including bone health.