Use of dong quai (Angelica sinensis) to treat peri- or postmenopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer: is it appropriate?
OBJECTIVE
Regarding the growing use of alternative therapies for peri- or postmenopausal symptoms, we evaluated the effect of a water extract of Angelica sinensis (dong quai), used for peri- or postmenopausal relief, on the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and negative (BT-20) breast cancer cells in vitro.


METHODS
The present study was designed to investigate the growth-modulating effect of dong quai water extract, alone or in the presence of 17beta-estradiol and 4-hydroxytamoxifen, on MCF-7 and BT-20 cell cultures using MTT proliferation assay.


RESULTS
The water extract of dong quai dose-dependently and significantly stimulated the proliferation of MCF-7 cells with a weak estrogen-agonistic activity in the presence of 17beta-estradiol, as evidenced by the significant suppression by 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Meanwhile, the extract significantly exerted a growth-stimulating effect on BT-20 in a dose-dependent manner with or without 17beta-estradiol. No obvious difference was found in the growth of BT-20 cells treated with the extract in the presence of 17beta-estradiol or 4-hydroxytamoxifen.


CONCLUSIONS
The water extract of dong quai stimulated the growth of MCF-7 cells, possibly dependent of weak estrogen-agonistic activity, and augmented the BT-20 cell proliferation independent of estrogen receptor-mediated pathway. The present study provides data regarding the estrogen-like activity of dong quai, which might assist in decision making on herbal therapy use by women at risk for both estrogen-sensitive and insensitive breast cancer. Because of the lack of clinical data demonstrating the potential side effects of dong quai, its use in herbal preparations for the treatment of peri- or postmenopausal symptoms, especially in women with breast cancer, warrants caution pending further study.
Lau
Clara B S
CB
School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT. claralau@cuhk.edu.hk
Ho
Tony C Y
TC
Chan
Terry W L
TW
Kim
Stephen C F
SC
D029971:Angelica sinensis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013629:Tamoxifen; C016601:afimoxifene; D004958:Estradiol; C044613:angelicae sinensis extract