title: Antioestrogenic effect of trans-dehydrocrotonin, a nor-clerodane diterpene from Croton cajucara Benth. in rats.
abstract: This study examined trans-dehydrocrotonin (t-DCTN), a nor-clerodane diterpene isolated from the Brazilian medicinal plant Croton cajucara Benth., for a possible antioestrogenic activity using immature rats as a model system for bioassay of oestrogen, and for an antiimplantation effect in regularly cycling rats of proven fertility. In the antioestrogen test, t-DCTN (25 and 50 mg/kg) effectively prevented oestrogen-induced increases of uterine wet weights. In addition, the vaginal openings provoked by oestrogen were completely prevented by t-DCTN. However, blastocyst-implantation was only insignificantly affected in t-DCTN pretreated animals. These results suggest that t-DCTN may be an antioestrogen and warrants further studies with regard to its mechanism of action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, P.O.B 3157, 60430-270 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Luna Costa
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045785:Diterpenes, Clerodane; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019665:Euphorbiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D004224:Diterpenes; D045785:Diterpenes, Clerodane; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; C103060:dehydrocrotonin