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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Estrogen-like activity of aqueous extract from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. in MCF-7 cells

Authors: Young Min Lee, Jung Bong Kim, Ji Hyun Bae, Jong Suk Lee, Pan-Soo Kim, Hwan Hee Jang, Haeng Ran Kim

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Postmenopausal women experience estrogen deficiency-related menopausal symptoms (e.g., hot flashes and mood swings) and a dramatic increase in the incidence of chronic diseases. Although estrogen-replacement therapy (ERT) can reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease and improve osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms, its side effects have limited recent use. This study investigated the estrogen-like activity of aqueous extract from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb.

Methods

The estrogenic activity of A. pilosa was investigated by using several in vitro assays. The binding activity of A. pilosa on estrogen receptors was examined using a fluorescence polarization-based competitive binding assay. The proliferative activity of A. pilosa was also examined using MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the effect of A. pilosa on the expression of 3 estrogen-dependent genes was assessed.

Results

Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the 3 major peaks of A. pilosa aqueous extract were identified as apigenin-hexose, luteolin-glucuronide, and apigenin-glucuronide. The aqueous extract induced the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 cells (p < 0.05). A. pilosa-stimulated proliferation was blocked on adding the estrogen antagonist ICI 182,780. Moreover, A. pilosa treatment increased the mRNA expression of the estrogen-responsive genes pS2 and PR (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results suggest A. pilosa can be used to improve estrogen deficiency-related menopausal symptoms or to treat diseases in postmenopausal women.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Estrogen-like activity of aqueous extract from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. in MCF-7 cells
Authors
Young Min Lee
Jung Bong Kim
Ji Hyun Bae
Jong Suk Lee
Pan-Soo Kim
Hwan Hee Jang
Haeng Ran Kim
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-260

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