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J Ethnopharmacol ; 179: 332-44, 2016 Feb 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26771069

ABSTRACT

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ficus umbellata Vahl. (Moraceae) is a medicinal plant used in Cameroon to treat amenorrhea as well as other physiological disorders related to menopause. AIM OF STUDY: In order to justify scientifically its traditional use, the estrogen-like properties of the aqueous (AE) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of F. umbellata were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In vitro, the ability of different extracts of F. umbellata to activate estrogen receptors α (ERα) and ß (ERß) in cell-based reporter gene assays using human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells transfected with ERs was tested. In vivo, a 3-day uterotrophic assay and the capacity of the extracts to alleviate hot flushes in ovariectomized adult rats were tested. Using a bioassay-guided fractionation the major compound of F. umbellata was isolated and tested in vitro on HEK293T-ERα and ERß cells. RESULTS: AE and MeOH extracts significantly altered ERα as well as ERß activities. In vivo, both extracts significantly increase the uterine and vaginal epithelium thickness, and uterine total protein levels in a dose dependent manner. Interestingly, both extracts of F. umbellata at the dose of 100 mg/kg BW significantly decreased the total number, average duration as well as frequency of hot flushes in experimental rats compared to age-matched OVX controls. Finally, 7-methylumbelliferone, a coumarin was characterized as the major compound of F. umbellata; however this compound did not transactivate ERα as well ERß in vitro. CONCLUSION: These aforementioned results suggest that F. umbellata extracts as used by the traditional practitioner have estrogen-like effects and may alleviate some menopausal problems such as vaginal dryness and hot flushes.


Subject(s)
Estrogens/therapeutic use , Ficus/chemistry , Menopause/drug effects , Ovariectomy/adverse effects , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Animals , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Epithelium/drug effects , Estrogens/adverse effects , Estrogens/pharmacology , Female , Hot Flashes/drug therapy , Humans , Mammary Glands, Human/drug effects , Organ Size/drug effects , Plant Extracts/adverse effects , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Proteins/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism , Umbelliferones/pharmacology , Uterus/drug effects , Uterus/metabolism , Vagina/drug effects
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