Abstract
Background: A decline in the function of the ovaries and a decrease in the production of sex hormones with aging causes hormonal deficiencies, leading to female menopause. Natural products may be developed into estrogen-like substances to improve menopausal conditions in women.BRMethods and Results: We investigated whether Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) extract could produce a similar effect to estrogen (E2) on MCF-7 cells, from a female breast cancer cell line. Trefoil factor 1 (TFF-1) and progesterone receptor (PR) were upregulated in the GEB extract-treated cells, like the E2 treatment. Moreover, the levels were upregulated in the phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinases 1/2, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, estrogen receptor (ER) alpha, and ER beta. An ER antagonist (ICI 182.780) with the GEB extract induceds a downstream response via the ER pathway. A qTOF analysis using a standard chemical compound revealed bis(4-hydroxybenzyl)ether was an effective compound.BRConclusions: GEB extract had an estrogen-like effects in vitro and bis(4-hydroxybenzyl)ether was an effective compound.
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