Medical applications of phytoestrogens from the Thai herb Pueraria mirifica

Abstract

Pueraria mirifica Airy Shaw et Suvatabandhu is a medicinal plant endemic to Thailand. It has been used in Thai folklore medicine for its rejuvenating qualities in aged women and men for nearly one hundred years. Indeed, it has been claimed that P. mirifica contains active phytoestrogens (plant substances with estrogen-like activity). Using high performance liquid chromatography, at least 17 phytoestrogens, mainly isoflavones, have been isolated. Thus, fairly considerable scientific researches, both in vitro in cell lines and in vivo in various species of animals including humans, have been conducted to date to address its estrogenic activity on the reproductive organs, bones, cardiovascular diseases and other climacteric related symptoms. The antioxidative capacity and antiproliferative effect on tumor cell lines have also been assessed. In general, P. mirifica could be applicable for preventing, or as a therapeutic for, the symptoms related to estrogen deficiency in menopausal women as well as in andropausal men. However, the optimal doses for each desirable effect and the balance to avoid undesired side effects need to be calculated before use.

Fermented Ethnic Medicine (<i>Pueraria mirifica</i>) Designed by Lactobacillus Regulated Leukocyte Subsets via Activation of Complement Components

“…Moreover, some preliminary trial that concerned the new processing of the original material by degradation by acidophilic bacteria, fermentation. The material used in this report was originated and traditionally selected as ethnic medicine for plant-estrogenic supplement for female at the highland area in Thailand and Myanmar [11] [12].…”

Expression and Functional Analysis of a Transgenic Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase in Pueraria mirifica

“…P. mirifica has been claimed to improve the human physical appearances such as re-growing hair, promoting black hair, enhance the flexibility of the body and sexual performance, recovering smooth skin and prolonging life. In recent years, P. mirifica has been included into cosmetic, dietary supplement and pharmaceutical products (Malaivijitnond 2012).…”

“…More than 20 chemical substances with estrogenic activities, mainly isoflavones, have been isolated from P. mirifica, such as puerarin, daidzein, genistein, kwakhurin, tuberosin, and mirificin (Malaivijitnond 2012). Isoflavonoids, a class of flavonoid phenolic compounds, are particularly prevalent in Leguminosae (Dixon & Sumner 2003).…”

<em>Pueraria mirifica</em> Exerts Estrogenic Effects in the Mammary Gland and Uterus and Promotes Mammary Carcinogenesis in Donryu Rats

“…Previously, PM application for treatment of a range of conditions, including those related to the aging process, has been reported [1]. Dried and powdered tuberous roots of PM contain at least 17 chemical compounds with estrogenic biological activities, usually divided into three groups: the first group includes teniso flavonoids such as genistin, genistein, daidzein, daidzin, kwakhurin, kwakhurin hydrate, tuberosin, puerarin, mirificin, and puemiricarpene [2,3]; Figure 1. Vaginal cytology for non-treated (A,B) and ovariectomized (C-L) female Donryu rats administered Pueraria mirifica (PM) and isoflavone aglycon (IA) for the first 4 days.…”