title: Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of legume extracts containing phytoestrogens.
abstract: Seven legume extracts containing phytoestrogens were analyzed for estrogenic activity. Methanol extracts were prepared from soybean (Glycine max L.), green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), alfalfa sprout (Medicago sativa L.), mung bean sprout (Vigna radiata L.), kudzu root (Pueraria lobata L.), and red clover blossom and red clover sprout (Trifolium pratense L.). Extracts of kudzu root and red clover blossom showed significant competitive binding to estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta). Estrogenic activity was determined using an estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation assay. Kudzu root, red clover blossom and sprout, mung bean sprout, and alfalfa sprout extracts displayed increased cell proliferation above levels observed with estradiol. The pure estrogen antagonist, ICI 182,780, suppressed cell proliferation induced by the extracts, suggesting an ER-related signaling pathway was involved. The ER subtype-selective activities of legume extracts were examined using transiently transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells. All seven of the extracts exhibited preferential agonist activity toward ERbeta. Using HPLC to collect fractions and MCF-7 cell proliferation, the active components in kudzu root extract were determined to be the isoflavones puerarin, daidzin, genistin, daidzein, and genistein. These results show that several legumes are a source of phytoestrogens with high levels of estrogenic activity.
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Research Service, Southern Regional Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, New Orleans, Louisiana 70179, USA. sboue@nola.srrc.usda.gov
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Boué
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Wiese
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nehls
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Burow
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Carol H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Carter-Wientjes
authors.forename: Betty Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McLachlan
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Cleveland
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones; D007668:Kidney; D000432:Methanol; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028321:Plant Preparations; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D004967:Estrogens; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D000432:Methanol