title: Ethanolic extract of dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) induces estrogenic activity in MCF-7 cells and immature rats.
abstract: Plants of the genus Taraxacum, commonly known as dandelions, are used to treat breast cancer in traditional folk medicine. However, their use has mainly been based on empirical findings without sufficient scientific evidence. Therefore, we hypothesized that dandelions would behave as a Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and be effective as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the postmenopausal women. In the present study, in vitro assay systems, including cell proliferation assay, reporter gene assay, and RT-PCR to evaluate the mRNA expression of estrogen-related genes (pS2 and progesterone receptor, PR), were performed in human breast cancer cells. Dandelion ethanol extract (DEE) significantly increased cell proliferation and estrogen response element (ERE)-driven luciferase activity. DEE significantly induced the expression of estrogen related genes such as pS2 and PR, which was inhibited by tamoxifen at 1 μmol·L(-1). These results indicated that DEE could induce estrogenic activities mediated by a classical estrogen receptor pathway. In addition, immature rat uterotrophic assay was carried out to identify estrogenic activity of DEE in vivo. The lowest concentration of DEE slightly increased the uterine wet weight, but there was no significant effect with the highest concentration of DEE. The results demonstrate the potential estrogenic activities of DEE, providing scientific evidence supporting their use in traditional medicine.
authors.affiliation: Fusion Technology Laboratory, Hoseo University, Hoseoro79 bungil20, Baebang, Asan, Chungcheong Nam-do, 336-795, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 440-746, Korea.
authors.forename: Ha Ryong
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 440-746, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Fusion Technology Laboratory, Hoseo University, Hoseoro79 bungil20, Baebang, Asan, Chungcheong Nam-do, 336-795, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Hwa
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 440-746, Korea. Electronic address: khchung@skku.edu.
authors.forename: Kyu Hyuck
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031205:Taraxacum; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
keywords: Dandelion extract; Estrogenic activity; Immature rat uterotrophic assay; MCF-7 cells