Gene expression analyses on multi-target mode of action of black cohosh in menopausal complaints - a pilot study in rodents

Transfer of preclinical study data on the influence of cimicifuga racemosaon functional changes in the hippocampus during menopause

Menopausal transition in women involves complex neurobiochemical changes linked to ovarian dysfunction, resulting in symptoms like vasomotor symptoms (VMS), sleep disturbances, anxiety, and cognitive impairments. Hormone replacement therapy is the first-line treatment. However, many women are reluctant to use HRT or have contraindications toward HRT and seek for alternatives. Non-hormonal therapies with extracts of Cimicifuga racemosa rhizomes like the isopropanolic extract (iCR, black cohosh) offer a promising alternative. A preclinical pilot study exploring iCR's effects on gene expression in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of ovarectomized (OVX) rats mimicking menopausal conditions identified important signaling pathways and CNS-based contributions to the multitargeted modes of action of iCR. Especially in the hippocampus, iCR compensated effects of OVX on gene expression profiles. These changes are reflected by the genes AVPR1A, GAL, CALCA, HCRT, PNOC, ESR1, ESR2 and TAC3 contributing to the formation of hot flushes or thermoregulation as well as to secondary effects such as blood pressure, metabolism, hormonal regulation, homeostasis, mood regulation, neuroendocrine modulation, regulation of sleep and arousal, and in learning, memory and cognition. To understand the mechanisms in the brain of estrogen-depressed animals (OVX) and subsequent iCR treatment we combined the results of the pilot study with those of up-to-date literature and tried to transfer the current knowledge to humans during menopausal transition and adaptation. Focus was laid on changes in the hippocampal function, that is disturbed by hormonal fluctuations, but can also be brought back into balance by iCR.

NMR-tracking for 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenes from Cimicifuga acerina

Twelve undescribed 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenoids, 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C-N, as well as five previously reported analogs were isolated by NMR-tracking methods from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga acerina (Sieb. et Zucc.) Tanaka. Among them, 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C-N were the first 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenoids featuring acetal or hemiacetal structures at C-15. The chemical structures of 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C-N were determined based on comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical method, and comparison with the previous literature data. After that, all these compounds were evaluated for their lipid-lowering effects on 3T3-L1 adipocytes.15,16-seco-cimiterpene D was found to exhibit a comparable reducing lipid effect at the concentration of 50 μM, with an inhibition rate at 35.96%.