Greek Plant Extracts Exhibit Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM)-like Properties

Abstract

To prevent bone loss that occurs with increasing age, nutritional and pharmacological factors are needed. Traditional therapeutic agents (selective estrogen receptor modulators or SERMs, biphosphonates, calcitonin) may have serious side effects or contraindications. In an attempt to find food components potentially acting as SERMs, we submitted four plant aqueous extracts derived from Greek flora (Sideritis euboea, Sideritis clandestina, Marticaria chamomilla, and Pimpinella anisum) in a series of in vitro biological assays reflective of SERM profile. We examined their ability (a) to stimulate the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic cell culture by histochemical staining for alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin Red-S staining, (b) to induce, like antiestrogens, the insulin growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and (c) to proliferate cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells by use of MTT assay. Our data reveal that all the plant extracts studied at a concentration range 10-100 microg/mL stimulate osteoblastic cell differentiation and exhibit antiestrogenic effect on breast cancer cells without proliferative effects on cervical adenocarcinoma cells. The presence of estradiol inhibited the antiestrogenic effect induced by the extracts on MCF-7 cells, suggesting an estrogen receptor-related mechanism. In conclusion, the aqueous extracts derived from Sideritis euboea, Sideritis clandestina, Marticaria chamomilla, and Pimpinella anisum may form the basis to design "functional foods" for the prevention of osteoporosis.

Antiviral and Immunostimulating Effects of Lignin-Carbohydrate-Protein Complexes fromPimpinella anisum

“…On the other hand, limited reports have shown that an aqueous extract from P. anisum demonstrated such biological effects as antioxidative, antimicrobial and selective estrogen receptor modulator-like activities. 17,18) However, it was uncertain which class of compounds contributed to those activities. We have shown in the present paper that the lignin-carbohydrate complexes from anise seemed to be the active principles for exhibiting antiviral and immunostimulatory effects.…”

Medicinal Benefits of Anise Seeds (Pimpinella Anisum) and Thymus Vulgaris in a Sample of Healthy Volunteers

“…Additionally, both herbs increased the production of many hormones. Some studies showed that essential oil of both herbs is used for many purposes including milk production in female and relief dysmenorrhea, ease childbirth, increase sexual drive as well as treatment of menopause symptoms 42,43,44 . Shanoon A.K and Mahdi S J, 2012 were found that thyme has androgenic activity as it increased in ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, counts, movements and a significant decrease in motility and abnormality and significant increase in tests weight 45 .…”

Identification of the Therapeutic Effects of Gamma-Irradiated Chamomile Aqueous Extract Against Alcohol Induced Hepato-nephrotoxicity in Rats

“…at 100°C (Kassi et al, 2004), then 0.25 gm/Kg body weight (equivalent to 2.5 ml) of clear solution was given orally every day throughout the duration of the experiment to chamomile treated group (Abid et al, 2012).…”