title: MF101: a multi-component botanical selective estrogen receptor beta modulator for the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Women's Health Initiative Estrogen Plus Progestin clinical trial demonstrated the risks exceeded the benefits which have led to a decline in menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) by greater than 50%. MHT use was initiated long before there was a significant understanding of the molecular mechanisms of estrogens. It has become clear that the problem with the current estrogens in MHT is they act non-selectively as an agonist in all tissues that contain estrogen receptors. MF101 is an oral, botanically derived extract that was designed to selectively regulate estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) because the increased risk of breast and endometrial cancer is due to the activation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) by estrogens. Preclinical and clinical data support a role for selective ERβ agonists, such as MF101, for vasomotor symptoms without increasing cancer risks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The review covers the biological, pharmacological and clinical advantages of MF101, and the unique ability of MF101 to selectively target the ERβ pathway for the treatment of hot flashes (HF).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that MF101, a selective estrogen receptor beta agonist, represents a new class of drugs that is safe and effective for treating HF and nighttime awakenings.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, 44 Morgan Hall Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. dale@leitmanlab.com
authors.forename: Dale C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Leitman
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Christians
mesh_terms: D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000819:agonists*; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; C517398:MF101 extract; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators