Evaluation of anti-estrogenic or estrogenic activities of aqueous root extracts of Gunnera manicata L.

Kristiane De Cássia Mariotti,Rodrigo B Singer,Gabriela Cristina Schmitt,Rodrigo E Fortunato,Mirna Bainy Leal,Fabiano Barreto,Eliane Dallegrave,Renata Pereira Limberger

doi:10.1590/s1984-82502011000300018

Kristiane De Cássia Mariotti, Rodrigo B Singer + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-82502011000300018

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Abstract

Gunnera perpensa (Gunneraceae) is an African plant widely used in traditional medicine. This species is known for its activity involving the female reproductive system, such as inducing or increasing labor, treating female infertility, expelling the placenta and/or preventing post-partum hemorrhage. These properties are probably due to (z)-venusol, a majoritary compound, and its action in conjunction with substances in the whole extract and other natural products. In southern Brazil, a native species Gunnera manicata L. that also belongs to Gunneraceae can be found. In spite of the traditional use of G. perpensa, there is no pharmacological and phytochemical information regarding the South American Gunnera species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the activity of Brazilian G. manicata aqueous extracts on the reproductive system of immature female Wistar rats through a uterotrophic assay and to verify the presence of (z)-venusol by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni´s post-hoc test (p< 0.01). Results obtained shown that G. manicata extracts did not present in vivo anti or estrogenic activity. Furthermore, (z)-venusol compound was not found. This study represents the first preliminary screening done on the South American G. manicata species.

Highlights

Gunnera (Gunneraceae) species are mainly found in the Southern hemisphere
It is a traditional herbal remedy used by many South African women as antenatal medications or to induce or augment labor, to treat female infertility, expel the placenta and/ or prevent post-partum hemorrhage (Kaido et al, 1996; Khan et al, 2004)
Considering the extensive traditional use and proven activities on the female reproductive system of G. perpensa, the aim of this study was to investigate the activity of Brazilian G. manicata extracts on the reproductive system of immature Wistar rats through uterotrophic assays and verify the presence of (z)-venusol by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/ MS)

Summary

Introduction

In Southern Africa, G. perpensa is a medicinal plant used by traditional healers for the treatment of venereal diseases (Buwa et al, 2006) It is a traditional herbal remedy used by many South African women as antenatal medications or to induce or augment labor, to treat female infertility, expel the placenta and/ or prevent post-partum hemorrhage (Kaido et al, 1996; Khan et al, 2004). Kahn et al (2004) showed that aqueous extract of G. perpensa directly stimulates a contractile response for both the ileum and uterus muscle in isolated muscle obtained from a Sprague–Dawley rat organ assay. These properties with an effect on the female reproductive system are probably due to the (z)-venusol compound. In all these instances the plant source was Umbilicus pendulinus or Umbilicus ruperstris (Crassulaceae) (Khan et al, 2004)

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