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.
