Evidence supporting the use of: 27-deoxyactein
For the health condition: PMS Type P
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
27-deoxyactein is a major triterpene glycoside found in black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). The use of black cohosh for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including what is sometimes called "PMS Type P" (characterized by pain and physical symptoms), is primarily rooted in traditional herbal medicine rather than robust scientific validation. Historically, Native American and European herbalists have used black cohosh to alleviate various female reproductive complaints, including menstrual discomfort and symptoms associated with menopause, such as cramps, irritability, and mood swings. The rationale for its use in PMS is largely extrapolated from these broader applications to women's health, rather than from direct evidence.
Clinical studies on black cohosh have predominantly focused on menopausal symptoms, not PMS specifically, and research isolating the effects of 27-deoxyactein is limited. While some preclinical evidence suggests that actein-type glycosides may have anti-inflammatory and mild estrogenic effects, there is a lack of high-quality clinical trials demonstrating efficacy for PMS, particularly for the physical symptom-dominant PMS Type P. As such, the evidence supporting the use of 27-deoxyactein in this context is modest and primarily based on historical use rather than direct scientific proof.