Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to explore the estrogenic effects of the extracts from Chinese yam and its effective compounds. Methods: The activity of the yam was investigated by the uterine weight gain of mice and a proliferation assay of breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 cell); the estrogenic activity was comprehensively evaluated by a serum pharmacology experiment. The levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also measured. Western blot analysis and antagonist assays with faslodex (ICI182,780), methylpiperidino-pyrazole (MPP), Delta (9) –tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and G-15 were used to explore the mechanism of the effects of the yam. To find the effective compounds of the yam which play a role in its estrogen-like effects, we used the same methods to study the effects of adenosine and arbutin. Results: The Chinese yam and two main compounds, adenosine and arbutin, have estrogen-like effects. The mechanism of the yam which plays a role in its estrogen-like effects was mainly mediated by the estrogen receptors ERα, ERβ, and GPR30; that of adenosine was mainly mediated by estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ, and that of arbutin was mainly mediated by estrogen receptors ERβ and GPR30. Conclusions: The Chinese yam has estrogen-like effects; adenosine and arbutin are two of the effective compounds in the yam which play a role in its estrogen-like effects.
Highlights
Results showed that the blockade of ER and GPR30 completely abolished of yam-stimulated MCF-7 cells was mediated by estrogen receptors α (ERα), ERβ and GPR30
The results showed that the yam (1630 mg/kg and 3260 mg/kg), adenosine (50 mg/kg), and arbutin (50 mg/kg) significantly increased the uterus coefficient and the levels of E2 and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), suggesting that the yam, adenosine, and arbutin had an estrogen-like effect in vivo
The results showed that estradiol valerate (EV) (0.33 mg/kg) and the yam (1630 mg/kg, 3260 mg/kg) significantly increased the expression of ERα, ERβ, and GPR30 protein in the uterus, suggesting that the yam had an estrogen-like effect in vivo through ERα, ERβ, and GPR30
Summary
As the estrogen level decreases, menstruation becomes disordered and amenorrhea follows. At this time, women gradually enter into menopause. To find the effective compounds of the yam which play a role in its estrogen-like effects, we used the same methods to study the effects of adenosine and arbutin. Results: The Chinese yam and two main compounds, adenosine and arbutin, have estrogen-like effects. The mechanism of the yam which plays a role in its estrogen-like effects was mainly mediated by the estrogen receptors ERα, ERβ, and GPR30; that of adenosine was mainly mediated by estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ, and that of arbutin was mainly mediated by estrogen receptors ERβ and GPR30. Conclusions: The Chinese yam has estrogen-like effects; adenosine and arbutin are two of the effective compounds in the yam which play a role in its estrogen-like effects
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