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Screening of food extracts for estrogenic activity
Author(s) -
Parkar Shanthi G,
Holmes Selena J,
Skinner Margot
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a968-d
Subject(s) - genistein , estrogen receptor , phytoestrogens , naringenin , estrogen , chemistry , selective estrogen receptor modulator , isoflavonoid , pharmacology , biology , endocrinology , medicine , biochemistry , flavonoid , cancer , breast cancer , antioxidant
Estrogens though well known for their reproductive role are important regulators of mood. Estrogen (mainly 17β‐estradiol) mediates its actions through two main intracellular receptors‐ estrogen receptors α and β(ERα and ERβ). ERβ mediated signalling appears to be critical in regulating nonreproductive behaviour such as processing of emotional behaviour and cognitive functions such as verbal fluency, memory and learning. Phytoestrogens and other natural plant extracts are now increasingly being studied for their anxiolytic properties. We have set up a three‐tiered system to assay the reactivity of plant extracts to ERβ – assay of the physical binding affinity of extracts to ERβ based on a receptor binding assay. assay of the estrogenic response as evidenced by proliferation of the estrogen‐dependent MCF‐7 cells. And quantitation of the ERα and ERβ gene expression in MCF‐7 cells treated with the extracts. Fruit extracts from apples, kiwifruit and various berries, as well as standard polyphenols and essential oils were screened. Apple extract, berry extract, eugenol, geraniol, farnesene and standard polyphenols such as naringenin and genistein demonstrated an estrogenic response. This has implications for their uses in delivering estrogen associated cognitive benefits in functional foods. Funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, New Zealand.