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Zingue S, Nde CBM, Michel T, Ndinteh DT, Tchatchou J, Adamou M, Fernandez X, Fohouo FNT, Clyne C, Njamen D. Ethanol-extracted Cameroonian propolis exerts estrogenic effects and alleviates hot flushes in ovariectomized Wistar rats. Altern Ther Health Med 2017; 17:65. [PMID: 28109283 PMCID: PMC5477728 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1568-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Since the biological properties of propolis depend to the plants that can be found in a specific region, propolis from unexplored regions attracts the attention of scientists. Ethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis (EEP) is used to treat various ailments including gynecological problems and amenorrhea. Since there were no scientific data to support the above claims, the present study was therefore undertaken to assess estrogenic properties of Cameroonian propolis. Methods To achieve our goal, the ability of EEP to induce MCF-7 cells proliferation in E-screen assay as well as to activate estrogen receptors α (ERα) and β (ERβ) in cell-based reporter gene assays using human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) transfected with ERs was tested. Further, a 3-day uterotrophic assay was performed and the ability of EEP to alleviate hot flushes in ovariectomized adult rats was evaluated. Results In vitro, EEP showed an antiestrogenic activity in both HEK293T ER-α and ER-β cells. In vivo, EEP induced a significant increase in a bell shape dose response manner of the uterine wet weight, the total protein levels in the uterus, the uterine and vaginal epithelium height and acini border cells of mammary gland with the presence of abundant eosinophil secretions. Moreover, EEP induced a significant decrease in the total number, average duration as well as frequency of hot flushes after 3 days of treatment in rat (equivalent to a month in woman). The dose of 150 mg/kg exhibited the most potent estrogenic effects among all the tested doses. The UPLC-HRMS analysis showed the presence of caffeic acid derivatives and trirtepernoids in EEP, which are well known endowed with estrogenic properties. Conclusion These results suggest that Ethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis has estrogen-like effects in vivo and may alleviate some menopausal problems such as vaginal dryness and hot flushes. Graphical abstract Ethanol-extracted Cameroobian propolis exhibited in vitro and in vivo estrogen-like effects. This extract may contain promising phytoestrogens.![]()
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Zingue S, Michel T, Tchatchou J, Chantal Beatrice Magne N, Winter E, Monchot A, Awounfack CF, Djiogue S, Clyne C, Fernandez X, Creczynski-Pasa TB, Njamen D. Estrogenic effects of Ficus umbellata Vahl. (Moraceae) extracts and their ability to alleviate some menopausal symptoms induced by ovariectomy in Wistar rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2016; 179:332-344. [PMID: 26771069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Revised: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ficus umbellata Vahl. (Moraceae) is a medicinal plant used in Cameroon to treat amenorrhea as well as other physiological disorders related to menopause. AIM OF STUDY In order to justify scientifically its traditional use, the estrogen-like properties of the aqueous (AE) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of F. umbellata were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS In vitro, the ability of different extracts of F. umbellata to activate estrogen receptors α (ERα) and β (ERβ) in cell-based reporter gene assays using human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells transfected with ERs was tested. In vivo, a 3-day uterotrophic assay and the capacity of the extracts to alleviate hot flushes in ovariectomized adult rats were tested. Using a bioassay-guided fractionation the major compound of F. umbellata was isolated and tested in vitro on HEK293T-ERα and ERβ cells. RESULTS AE and MeOH extracts significantly altered ERα as well as ERβ activities. In vivo, both extracts significantly increase the uterine and vaginal epithelium thickness, and uterine total protein levels in a dose dependent manner. Interestingly, both extracts of F. umbellata at the dose of 100 mg/kg BW significantly decreased the total number, average duration as well as frequency of hot flushes in experimental rats compared to age-matched OVX controls. Finally, 7-methylumbelliferone, a coumarin was characterized as the major compound of F. umbellata; however this compound did not transactivate ERα as well ERβ in vitro. CONCLUSION These aforementioned results suggest that F. umbellata extracts as used by the traditional practitioner have estrogen-like effects and may alleviate some menopausal problems such as vaginal dryness and hot flushes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Zingue
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 55, Maroua, Cameroon; Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Thomas Michel
- Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Faculty of Science, University Nice Sophia-Antipolis, UMR CNRS 7272, Valrose Park, F-06108 Nice Cedex 2, Nice, France
| | - Jules Tchatchou
- Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | - Evelyn Winter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Santa Catarina, CEP 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - André Monchot
- Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Faculty of Science, University Nice Sophia-Antipolis, UMR CNRS 7272, Valrose Park, F-06108 Nice Cedex 2, Nice, France
| | - Charline Florence Awounfack
- Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Sefirin Djiogue
- Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Colin Clyne
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Xavier Fernandez
- Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Faculty of Science, University Nice Sophia-Antipolis, UMR CNRS 7272, Valrose Park, F-06108 Nice Cedex 2, Nice, France
| | - Tânia Beatriz Creczynski-Pasa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Santa Catarina, CEP 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Dieudonné Njamen
- Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon.
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Zingue S, Njamen D, Tchoumtchoua J, Halabalaki M, Simpson E, Clyne C, Magne Nde CB. Effects of Millettia macrophylla (Fabaceae) Extracts on Estrogen Target Organs of Female Wistar Rat. J Pharmacol Sci 2013; 123:120-31. [DOI: 10.1254/jphs.13094fp] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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