title: Influence of Cimicifuga racemosa on the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells.
abstract: Hormone replacement therapy, which is a common menopausal treatment, is contraindicated in women with breast cancers due to concerns regarding the potential for breast cell proliferation. As such, there is a need for alternative methods for treating menopausal symptoms. To determine the influence of one such alternative, black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa [CR]), on estrogen-dependent mammary cancers, we conducted an in vitro investigation of the effect of an isopropanolic CR-extract on the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells. The experiments were performed using the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell test system, an established in vitro model for estrogen-dependent tumors. The influence of CR-extract on the proliferation of the MCF-7 cells was determined by measuring the incorporation of radioactively labeled thymidine. Under estrogen-deprived conditions, the CR-extract (10(-3)-10(-5) dilutions) significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation. Additionally, application of the CR-extract inhibited estrogen-induced proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the proliferation-inhibiting effect of tamoxifen was enhanced by the CR-extract. Such data that suggest a non-estrogenic, or estrogen-antagonistic effect of CR on human breast cancer cells lead to the conclusion that CR treatment may be a safe, natural remedy for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, Schaper & Brümmer GmbH & Co. KG, Salzgitter, Germany.
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bodinet
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freudenstein
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D031885:Cimicifuga; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004958:Estradiol; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013629:Tamoxifen; D004958:Estradiol