title: Evaluation of the Biological Activity of Opuntia ficus indica as a Tissue- and Estrogen Receptor Subtype-Selective Modulator.
abstract: Phytoestrogens are selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) with potential for use in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve peri/postmenopausal symptoms. This study was aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the SERM properties of the extract of Korean-grown Opuntia ficus-indica (KOFI). The KOFI extract induced estrogen response element (ERE)-driven transcription in breast and endometrial cancer cell lines and the expression of endogenous estrogen-responsive genes in breast cancer cells. The flavonoid content of different KOFI preparations affected ERE-luciferase activities, implying that the flavonoid composition likely mediated the estrogenic activities in cells. Oral administration of KOFI decreased the weight gain and levels of both serum glucose and triglyceride in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Finally, KOFI had an inhibitory effect on the 17β-estradiol-induced proliferation of the endometrial epithelium in OVX rats. Our data demonstrate that KOFI exhibited SERM activity with no uterotrophic side effects. Therefore, KOFI alone or in combination with other botanical supplements, vitamins, or minerals may be an effective and safe alternative active ingredient to HRTs, for the management of postmenopausal symptoms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Chungparo 47-gil, Seoul, 140-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung Ha
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Chungparo 47-gil, Seoul, 140-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyesoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Chungparo 47-gil, Seoul, 140-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Wenmei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Chungparo 47-gil, Seoul, 140-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Xiyuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Chungparo 47-gil, Seoul, 140-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soolin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Chungparo 47-gil, Seoul, 140-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Young
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Chungparo 47-gil, Seoul, 140-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Natural F&P Corp. 39 Yangcheongsongdae-gil, Ochang-eup, Chongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.affiliation: Natural F&P Corp. 39 Yangcheongsongdae-gil, Ochang-eup, Chongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Natural F&P Corp. 39 Yangcheongsongdae-gil, Ochang-eup, Chongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Na-Hye
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Natural F&P Corp. 39 Yangcheongsongdae-gil, Ochang-eup, Chongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol Yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Pharmaceutical Science, College of Science, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Chungparo 47-gil, Seoul, 140-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Minsun
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1274-7462
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D029747:Opuntia / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen
keywords: Opuntia ficus indica; flavonol; functional food; hormone replacement therapy; menopausal symptoms; selective estrogen receptor modulator