Novel phytoandrogens and lipidic augmenters from <it>Eucommia ulmoides</it>
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Plants containing compounds such as the isoflavonoids, with female hormone-like effects that bind to human estrogen receptors, are known. But none has been previously shown to have corresponding male hormone-like effects that interac...
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| Format: | Book |
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BMC,
2007-01-01T00:00:00Z.
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| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Plants containing compounds such as the isoflavonoids, with female hormone-like effects that bind to human estrogen receptors, are known. But none has been previously shown to have corresponding male hormone-like effects that interact with the human androgen receptor. Here, we report that the tree bark (cortex) of the Gutta-Percha tree <it>Eucommia ulmoides </it>possesses bimodal phytoandrogenic and hormone potentiating effects by lipidic components.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The extracts of <it>E. ulmoides </it>were tested using <it>in-vitro </it>reporter gene bioassays and <it>in-vivo </it>animal studies. Key compounds responsible for the steroidogenic effects were isolated and identified using solid phase extraction (SPE), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), electron spray ionisation-mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The following bioactivities of <it>E. ulmoides </it>were found: (1) a phenomenal tripartite synergism exists between the sex steroid receptors (androgen and estrogen receptors), their cognate steroidal ligands and lipidic augmenters isolated from <it>E. ulmoides</it>, (2) phytoandrogenic activity of <it>E. ulmoides </it>was mediated by plant triterpenoids binding cognately to the androgen receptor (AR) ligand binding domain.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In addition to well-known phytoestrogens, the existence of phytoandrogens is reported in this study. Furthermore, a form of tripartite synergism between sex steroid receptors, sex hormones and plant-derived lipids is described for the first time. This could have contrasting clinical applications for hypogonadal- and hyperlipidaemic-related disorders.</p> |
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| Item Description: | 10.1186/1472-6882-7-3 1472-6882 |