STUDY OF SOYA (GLYCINE MAX L. MERR.) ON MENOPAUSAL SYNDROME, AN EXTRA-PHARMACOPIEAL DRUG.

Introduction: Menarche and menopause are the landmarks of the reproductive life of a woman. Menopausal syndrome is a transitional phase of imbalance of hormones by a varying degree of somatic and psychological changes. Due to increase in the life expectancy of female, the figures of menopausal women will be 103 million by 2026. Hormones replacement therapy, being the line of treatment of menopausal syndrome, also creating various drawbacks. Therefore, there is interest of some naturally occurring compounds with estrogenic properties, which is referred as phytoestrogens. Soya (Glycine max), being the richest source of phytoestrogen can be an alternative to the oestrogen replacement therapy for treating menopausal syndrome. This article aims upon the study of soya on menopausal syndrome with its pharmacological and pharmacodynamical action in details. Materials and methods: All the ayurvedic classics and modern text along with journals, electronic databases, PubMed, Cochrane, google scholar has been thoroughly searched. Result: As there is no direct reference of soya in ayurvedic classics, it belongs to the group of shimbi dhanya varga which is described in classics. The pharmaceutical and pharmacological action of soya related to the menopausal syndrome has been focused upon. Discussion and conclusion: As the stage of menopause implies upon hypo estrogenic Condition, so oestrogen is needed for the body in order to fulfil the level and supress the symptoms. Action of soya for the management of menopausal syndrome can be implemented due to the presence of phytoestrogens in terms of isoflavones in order to maintain the hormonal balance.