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In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms

Authors Zhang, CZ; Wang, SX; Zhang, Y; Chen, JP; Liang, XM

Journal JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY , APR 26 2005,3:98

DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2005.01.033 PubMed 15814262

Abstract The estrogenic activity of 70% EtOH extracts of 32 traditional Chinese medicinal plants, selected according to their reported efficacy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, was assessed using a recombinant yeast system with both a human estrogen receptor expression plasmid and a reporter plasmid. Among them, 11 (34%) species proved to be active. Polygonum to cuspidatum had the highest estrogenic relative potency (RP) (3.28 x 10(-3)), followed by Rheum palmatum (3.85 x 10(-4)), Cassia obtusifolio (3.49 x 10(-4)), Polygonum multiflorum (2.87 x 10(-4)), Epimedium brevicormum (2.30 x 10(-4)), Psoralea corylifolia (1.90 x 10(-4)), Cynomorium songaricum (1.78 x 10(-4)), Belamcanda chinensis (1.26 x 10(-4)). Scutellaria baicalensis (8.77 x 10(-5)), Astragalus membranaceus (8.47 x 10(-5)) and Puerario lobata (6.17 x 10(-5)). The EC50 value of 17 beta-estradiol used as the positive control was 0.205 +/- 0.025 ng/ml (RP = 100). This study gave support to the reported efficacy of Chinese medicines used for hormone replacement therapy. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Species covered 黄芩 Scutellaria baicalensis 掌叶大黄 Rheum palmatum 何首乌 Fallopia multiflora 黄芪 Astragalus membranaceus 蓼属 Polygonum 射干 Belamcanda chinensis 补骨脂 Psoralea corylifolia 锁阳 Cynomorium songaricum