title: Screening for in vivo (anti)estrogenic and (anti)androgenic activities of Tropaeolum majus L. and its effect on uterine contractility.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae) is a medicinal herb popularly used in Brazil for treatment of inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. Despite some published data on its efficacy, there are still few toxicological data describing the safety of this plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the (anti)estrogenic and (anti)androgenic activity of the hydroethanolic extract obtained from Tropaeolum majus L. (HETM), as well as its possible effects on uterine contractility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three experimental protocols were performed, (a) uterotrophic assay, (b) Hershberger assay and (c) an ex vivo test to investigate the effects of maternal administration of HETM on uterine contractility at the end of pregnancy. In all protocols three doses of the HETM were administered to Wistar rats: 3, 30 and 300mg/kg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vivo tests for detection of (anti)androgenic and (anti)estrogenic activities did not show any significant alterations. Similarly, no alterations were observed on uterine contractility induced by oxytocin and arachidonic acid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HETM was unable to produce (anti)estrogenic or (anti)androgenic activities in the short-term in vivo screening assays performed. In addition, there was no evidence that HETM can affect uterine contractility following gestational exposure of rats.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Sciences Medical and Health, University Parananense, Umuarama, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Emerson Luiz Botelho
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Lourenço
authors.forename: Juliane Centeno
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Ana Claudia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Boareto
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Ana Carolina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lourenço
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Minatovicz
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crestani
authors.forename: Arquimedes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasparotto
authors.forename: Anderson Joel
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Martino-Andrade
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Dalsenter
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012997:Solvents; D032387:Tropaeolaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D004967:Estrogens; D010120:Oxytocics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol