Potential Targets of Actein Identified by Systems Chemical Biology Methods

Modulation of the Proliferative Pathway, Neuroinflammation and Pain in Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic disease characterized by pelvic inflammation. This study aimed at investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathology and how they can be modulated by the administration of a natural compound, Actaea racemosa (AR). We employed an in vivo model of endometriosis in which rats were intraperitoneally injected with uterine fragments from donor animals. During the experiment, rats were monitored by abdominal high-frequency ultrasound analysis. AR was able to reduce the lesion's size and histological morphology. From a molecular point of view, AR reduced hyperproliferation, as shown by Ki-67 and PCNA expression and MAPK phosphorylation. The impaired apoptosis pathway was also restored, as shown by the TUNEL assay and RT-PCR for Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase levels. AR also has important antioxidant (reduced Nox expression, restored SOD activity and GSH levels, and reduced MPO activity and MDA levels) and anti-inflammatory (reduced cytokine levels) properties. Moreover, AR demonstrated its ability to reduce the pain-like behaviors associated with the pathology, the neuro-sensitizing mediators (c-FOS and NGF) expression, and the related central astrogliosis (GFAP expression in the spinal cord, brain cortex, and hippocampus). Overall, our data showed that AR was able to manage several pathways involved in endometriosis suppression.

Actaea racemosa L. Rhizome Protect against MPTP-Induced Neurotoxicity in Mice by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a dopaminergic neuron-related neurodegenerative illness. Treatments exist that alleviate symptoms but have a variety of negative effects. Recent research has revealed that oxidative stress, along with neuroinflammation, is a major factor in the course of this disease. Therefore, the aim of our study was to observe for the first time the effects of a natural compound such as Actaea racemosa L. rhizome in an in vivo model of PD induced by neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). For the study, mice received four injections of MPTP (20 mg/kg) for the induction of PD. Starting 24 h after the first administration of MPTP we treated mice with Actaea racemosa L. rhizome (100 mg/kg) daily for seven days. Our findings clearly demonstrated that Actaea racemosa L. rhizome treatment decreases oxidative stress by activating redox balance enzymes such as Nrf2/HO-1. We also demonstrated that Actaea racemosa L. rhizome is capable of modulating inflammatory indicators involved in PD, such as IκB-α, NF-κB, GFAP and Iba1, thus reducing the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and motor and non-motor alterations. To summarize, Actaea racemosa L. rhizome, which is subject to fewer regulations than traditional medications, could be used as a dietary supplement to improve patients' brain health and could be a promising nutraceutical choice to slow the course and symptoms of PD.

Benefits of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for Women Health: An Up-Close and In-Depth Review

Women’s health is an imminent concern worldwide, but it remains an ignored segment of research in most developing countries, and is yet to take the center stage in even developed nations. Some exclusive female health concerns revolve around both pathological and physiological aspects. These gender-specific maladies include breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers, and physiological concerns such as menopause and osteoporosis, which are often coexistent. Recently, women’s health issues, including postmenopausal syndrome, have attracted the attention of researchers and practitioners alike, opening newer pharmaceutical research and clinical avenues. Although not counted as a disease, postmenopausal syndrome (PMS) is a female health phenomenon underpinned by hormonal depletion. Enhanced life expectancy in women has added to their suffering, and pharmacological interventions are needed. Amongst the available treatment modalities, the use of numerous botanicals has emerged as an efficient health management tool for women. Cimicifuga racemosa (CR or Black Cohosh) is a plant/herb which has been traditionally exploited and extensively used by women. This review is an attempt to compile and provide a summary of the importance of CR in complementary and alternative therapies for the improvement of various disorders related to women, such as menopausal syndrome, mammary cancer, and osteoporosis. It aims to systematically highlight the bioactive constituents, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic potentials, quality control processes, chromatographic techniques, and possible mechanisms of action of clinically effective phytomedicine for women’s health. Various clinical trials and patents relating to CR and women’s health have been collated. Furthermore, the plant and its related products have been considered from a regulatory perspective to reveal its commercial feasibility. The present review summarizes the existing data on CR focusing on women’s health, which can help to introduce this traditional phytomedicine to the world and provide some reference for future drug development.

Actaea racemosa L. extract inhibits steroid sulfation in human breast cancer cells: Effects on androgen formation

BACKGROUND

Actaea racemosa L., also known as black cohosh, is a popular herb commonly used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Because of its purported estrogenic activity, black cohosh root extract (BCE) may trigger breast cancer growth.

STUDY DESIGN/METHODS

The potential effects of standardized BCE and its main constituent actein on cellular growth rates and steroid hormone metabolism were investigated in estrogen receptor alpha positive (ERα+) MCF-7 and -negative (ERα-) MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Cell numbers were determined following incubation of both cell lines with the steroid hormone precursors dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and estrone (E1) for 48 h, in the presence and absence of BCE or actein. Using a validated liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry assay, cell culture supernatants were simultaneously analyzed for the ten main steroids of the estrogen pathway.

RESULTS

Inhibition of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell growth (up to 36.9%) was observed following treatment with BCE (1-25 µg/ml) or actein (1-50 µM). Incubation of MCF-7, but not of MDA-MB-231 cells, with DHEA and BCE caused a 20.9% reduction in DHEA-3-O-sulfate (DHEA-S) formation, leading to a concomitant increase in the androgens 4-androstene-3,17-dione (AD) and testosterone (T). Actein was shown to exert an even stronger inhibitory effect on DHEA-S formation in MCF-7 cells (up to 89.6%) and consequently resulted in 12- to 15-fold higher androgen levels compared with BCE. The formation of 17β-estradiol (E2) and its glucuronidated and sulfated metabolites was not affected by BCE or actein after incubation with the estrogen precursor estrone (E1) in either cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study demonstrated that actein and BCE do not promote breast cancer cell growth or influence estrogen levels. However, androgen formation was strongly stimulated by BCE and actein, which may contribute to their ameliorating effects on menopausal symptoms in women. Future studies monitoring the levels of AD and T upon BCE supplementation of patients are warranted to verify an association between BCE and endogenous androgen metabolism.