title: Estrogen-like activity of aqueous extract from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. in MCF-7 cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postmenopausal women experience estrogen deficiency-related menopausal symptoms (e.g., hot flashes and mood swings) and a dramatic increase in the incidence of chronic diseases. Although estrogen-replacement therapy (ERT) can reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease and improve osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms, its side effects have limited recent use. This study investigated the estrogen-like activity of aqueous extract from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb.
  
  
  METHODS
  The estrogenic activity of A. pilosa was investigated by using several in vitro assays. The binding activity of A. pilosa on estrogen receptors was examined using a fluorescence polarization-based competitive binding assay. The proliferative activity of A. pilosa was also examined using MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the effect of A. pilosa on the expression of 3 estrogen-dependent genes was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the 3 major peaks of A. pilosa aqueous extract were identified as apigenin-hexose, luteolin-glucuronide, and apigenin-glucuronide. The aqueous extract induced the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 cells (p < 0.05). A. pilosa-stimulated proliferation was blocked on adding the estrogen antagonist ICI 182,780. Moreover, A. pilosa treatment increased the mRNA expression of the estrogen-responsive genes pS2 and PR (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest A. pilosa can be used to improve estrogen deficiency-related menopausal symptoms or to treat diseases in postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Functional Food & Nutrition Division, Department of Agro-food Resources, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Republic of Korea. ymlee@korea.kr
authors.forename: Young Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung Bong
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Jong Suk
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Pan-Soo
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hwan Hee
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Haeng Ran
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D031981:Agrimonia / Q000737:chemistry*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D008593:Menopause; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D004967:Estrogens; D005419:Flavonoids; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; C051838:TFF1 protein, human; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins