Black Cohosh may promote cancer spread?

[Guest guest]

, " "

<@e...> wrote:

> Hi All,

>

> Hve any of you seen rapid spread of cancer after a client / patient

> used Black Cohosh?

 

It definitely raises a liability issue. A reminder that prescribing

outside one's scope of practice could have serious repercussions.

What if you are not given the right to prescribe western herbs in your

practice as in oregon where the law states " oriental pharmacopeia " (or

other states where no herbs at all are allowed like Ohio). And then a

patient who you give this advice to gets metastatic breast cancer.

 

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

Hve any of you seen rapid spread of cancer after a client / patient

used Black Cohosh?

 

See: http://www.fhma.com/snippets3.htm#147

 

Black Cohosh may promote cancer spread: WASHINGTON June

13, 2003 MSNBC.COM—

 

Black cohosh, a herb popular for relieving the hot flashes and some

other unpleasant symptoms of menopause, may make cancer

more likely to spread, U.S. and Canadian researchers said.

This news is yet another blow to women looking for something to

safely ease the symptoms of menopause, which range from hot

flashes to a higher risk of heart disease and cancer.

Hormone replacement therapy has been found to worsen the risk of

heart disease, stroke, some cancers and Alzheimer’s, while some

herbal supplements, such as red clover, have been found to do no

good.

Many women had been taking black cohosh because it seemed to

ease the hot flashes and, because it was herbal, many presumed it

was safe.

Not so, researcher Vicki Davis of the Mylan School of Pharmacy at

Duquesne University in Pittsburgh told a meeting of the American

Association for Cancer Research. She said a woman who did not

know she had cancer could be endangered by taking the

supplement. “This stresses that we really need more research into

herbal therapies and natural therapies.”

Davis and colleagues in her lab and in Canada fed black cohosh to

female mice bred so that they are prone to breast cancer. They

gave them the daily equivalent of 40 mg of the supplement, the

amount normally recommended for menopausal symptoms.

The mice were not any more likely to develop breast cancer in the

first place. But those that did develop it were more likely to see a

deadly spread of the cancer, Davis said.

Her team found that 27 percent of mice that ate black cohosh had

the cancer spread to the lung, compared to 11 percent of the mice

that did not eat the herb.

The findings do not prove that a woman with undiagnosed breast

cancer could be endangered by using black cohosh, but Davis said

it would be risky to take it. Women who have breast cancer — or

any other form of cancer — may need to be especially wary, she

said.

It is not clear how black cohosh may make cancer more likely to

spread, Davis said. “And one thing we don’t know is whether it

might accelerate a tumor that might be likely to metastasize or

increase the numbers of tumors that would metastasize. But

neither one is good,” she said.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Email: <

 

WORK : Teagasc, c/o 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Mobile: 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

 

HOME : 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel : 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

WWW : http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/searchap.htm

 

Chinese Proverb: " Man who says it can't be done, should not interrupt man doing

it "

[Guest guest]

Very legitimate concern. I would like to point out that the research may seem

to make sense but did anyone question the fact that they used mice that are

prone to cancer to start with. I would expect that this mice could develop

cancer much more easily due to varous genetic factors. I do not think they

are a legit test species due to this hypersensitivity or predilection to cancer.

In other words, the test is biased towards cancer production.

, " " wrote:

>

> , " "

> <@e...> wrote:

> > Hi All,

> >

> > Hve any of you seen rapid spread of cancer after a client / patient

> > used Black Cohosh?

>

> It definitely raises a liability issue. A reminder that prescribing

> outside one's scope of practice could have serious repercussions.

> What if you are not given the right to prescribe western herbs in your

> practice as in oregon where the law states " oriental pharmacopeia " (or

> other states where no herbs at all are allowed like Ohio). And then a

> patient who you give this advice to gets metastatic breast cancer.

 

>

 

[Guest guest]

Very legitimate concern. I would like to point out that the research may seem

to make sense but did anyone question the fact that they used mice that are

prone to cancer to start with. I would expect that this mice could develop

cancer much more easily due to varous genetic factors. I do not think they

are a legit test species due to this hypersensitivity or predilection to cancer.

In other words, the test is biased towards cancer production.

, " " wrote:

>

> , " "

> <@e...> wrote:

> > Hi All,

> >

> > Hve any of you seen rapid spread of cancer after a client / patient

> > used Black Cohosh?

>

> It definitely raises a liability issue. A reminder that prescribing

> outside one's scope of practice could have serious repercussions.

> What if you are not given the right to prescribe western herbs in your

> practice as in oregon where the law states " oriental pharmacopeia " (or

> other states where no herbs at all are allowed like Ohio). And then a

> patient who you give this advice to gets metastatic breast cancer.

 

>

 

[Guest guest]

I treated a couple of mice last year but they seemed fine on it:-)

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist that! Conventional medics prescribe cancer

causing chemicals by the bucket-load and then try to come up with

daft things to frighten people off alternative medicine. Of course,

herbs can also have negative effects but to try and connect a problem

in women with what happens in mice seems incredulous to me,

 

Regards,

 

 

Stephen Gascoigne

 

 

Dr Stephen Gascoigne, The Clinic of , Michael Collins

Road (Western Road), Clonakilty, Co. Cork, Ireland

Tel: 023 33081

Fax: 023 33196

Email: info

Website: http://www.drgascoigne.com

 

Chinese Medicine , " "

<@e...> wrote:

> Hi All,

>

> Hve any of you seen rapid spread of cancer after a client / patient

> used Black Cohosh?

>

> See: http://www.fhma.com/snippets3.htm#147

>

> Black Cohosh may promote cancer spread: WASHINGTON June

> 13, 2003 MSNBC.COM—

>

> Black cohosh, a herb popular for relieving the hot flashes and some

> other unpleasant symptoms of menopause, may make cancer

> more likely to spread, U.S. and Canadian researchers said.

> This news is yet another blow to women looking for something to

> safely ease the symptoms of menopause, which range from hot

> flashes to a higher risk of heart disease and cancer.

> Hormone replacement therapy has been found to worsen the risk of

> heart disease, stroke, some cancers and Alzheimer's, while some

> herbal supplements, such as red clover, have been found to do no

> good.

> Many women had been taking black cohosh because it seemed to

> ease the hot flashes and, because it was herbal, many presumed it

> was safe.

> Not so, researcher Vicki Davis of the Mylan School of Pharmacy at

> Duquesne University in Pittsburgh told a meeting of the American

> Association for Cancer Research. She said a woman who did not

> know she had cancer could be endangered by taking the

> supplement. " This stresses that we really need more research into

> herbal therapies and natural therapies. "

> Davis and colleagues in her lab and in Canada fed black cohosh to

> female mice bred so that they are prone to breast cancer. They

> gave them the daily equivalent of 40 mg of the supplement, the

> amount normally recommended for menopausal symptoms.

> The mice were not any more likely to develop breast cancer in the

> first place. But those that did develop it were more likely to see

a

> deadly spread of the cancer, Davis said.

> Her team found that 27 percent of mice that ate black cohosh had

> the cancer spread to the lung, compared to 11 percent of the mice

> that did not eat the herb.

> The findings do not prove that a woman with undiagnosed breast

> cancer could be endangered by using black cohosh, but Davis said

> it would be risky to take it. Women who have breast cancer — or

> any other form of cancer — may need to be especially wary, she

> said.

> It is not clear how black cohosh may make cancer more likely to

> spread, Davis said. " And one thing we don't know is whether it

> might accelerate a tumor that might be likely to metastasize or

> increase the numbers of tumors that would metastasize. But

> neither one is good, " she said.

>

>

> Best regards,

>

> Email: <@e...>

>

> WORK : Teagasc, c/o 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

> Mobile: 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

>

> HOME : 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

> Tel : 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

> WWW : http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/searchap.htm

>

> Chinese Proverb: " Man who says it can't be done, should not

interrupt man doing it "

[Guest guest]

Hello Phil,

 

Here is my two pence worth on Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)! Firstly my

short answer to your question about rapid spread of breast cancer from using

Black Cohosh: No I have not. (this is based on experience not research).

 

Now my long answer!

 

Does 'research' into the dangers of herbs originate from a questionable agenda?

The 'herb' itself that is often used most frequently in research (I am

generalising as in the research paper to which you refer I have no idea which

type of black Cohosh was used) is not necessarily a whole herb, as a herbalist

might consider a herb to be, but a 'Standardised Extract' of that herb. A

Standardized Extract is a fractionated herb. It is the extracted chemical

constituent of the whole herb which has sometimes never even seen the herb it

purports to be. A Standardized Extract is simply the chemical found in that

herb which is 'believed' to be the 'active constituent' of that herb. It has

been found that Standardized Extracts sometimes do not even contain the active

constituent from the herb it is advertised to be but the same chemical

structrually which may be found from another herb or from another source

altogether. It also seems to be that Standardized Extracts may produce side

effects in the same way a pharmaceutical drug can have. Is therefore a

Standardized Extract nearly a pharmaceutical drug? Like processed food does a

processed herb bear little resemblance to the original product?. How about

calling a Standardized Extract a 'Phytoceutrical'?. (the new pharmaceutical

buzzword for their synthesized/fractionated nutritional supplements are

nutriceuticals which sounds less alarming than pharmaceutically derived

nutritional supplement)

 

So when I hear of 'research' outcomes I would need to see the research details

to feel comfortable that the research was not flawed. It is also useful to know

the origin of the funding for the research.

 

In Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy by Mills and Bone, Churchill

Livingstone ISBN 0 443 060169 P.304 " Unlike Oestradiol, black cohosh extract did

not stimulate growth of mammary tumour cells in vitro. In fact a dosage of 2.5

ug/ml led to a strong inhibition of proliferation. The simultaneous incubation

of tumour cells with tamoxifen (anticarcinogenic agent, oestrogen antagonist)

and black cohosh displayed a much stronger inhibition of growth than of either

substance alone (Oestrogen is contraindicated in patients with oestrogen

receptor-positive breast carcinoma, since it promootes the growth of the tumour

cells.) Pretreatment with cimicifugoside inhibited blastogenesis in mouse

splenic lymphocytes and brought about a decrease in the number of plaque-forming

colonies using sheep erythrocytes (SRBC)................ "

 

So whose research is correct. Do we follow research on a mouse or a glass dish?

 

I have worked 2-3 days per week for the last 4 years for a Breast Cancer charity

in London as a herbalist (using Western and TCM herbs and Acupuncture) treating

nothing but women with breast cancer often experiencing chemical induced

menopausal hot flashes as well as suffering all the side effects of

Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, surgery and follow up drugs such as Tamoxifen,

Arimidex etc. The greatest overall side effect being Hot flashes and night

sweats. We are not allowed to use Black Cohosh (a truly wonderful herb for the

symptomatic relief of menopausal hot flashes in some people) because of the

differing opinions/research/fear surrounding this and other herbs that contain

Phytooestrogens.

 

It seems that no one really has the definitive answer least of all a poor mouse!

But after being involved with cancer for as long as I have (20 years) one gets

to have a good idea based on experience not necessarily research!

 

Having said all this, altering diet and treating hot flashes in women with

breast cancer according to TCM principles, Acupuncture and herbs there is no

need for Cimicifuga (but it is certainly very useful) and there are many other

ways to address hot flashes but eventually will we lose all our herbs as we seem

to be, one by one, until there is not one herb left to use? In my experience

with Cancer there is much more than phytooestrogens behind the aetiology and

progression of breast cancer.

 

I hope this reply has helped your own research into the matter.

 

Concerned and sadened for our future with herbs

 

Nadia

 

Nadia Brydon MRCHM. MNIMH. Dip Phyt. Dip Ac. MAR Hippocrates Health Educator et

al.

The Natural Health Clinic

London, UK

020 7798 8142

email: nadia

 

 

-

;

traditional_Chinese_Medicine

Cc: vBMA

Friday, November 26, 2004 2:56 AM

Black Cohosh may promote cancer spread?

 

 

Hi All,

 

Hve any of you seen rapid spread of cancer after a client / patient

used Black Cohosh?

 

See: http://www.fhma.com/snippets3.htm#147

 

Black Cohosh may promote cancer spread: WASHINGTON June

13, 2003 MSNBC.COM-

 

Black cohosh, a herb popular for relieving the hot flashes and some

other unpleasant symptoms of menopause, may make cancer

more likely to spread, U.S. and Canadian researchers said.

This news is yet another blow to women looking for something to

safely ease the symptoms of menopause, which range from hot

flashes to a higher risk of heart disease and cancer.

Hormone replacement therapy has been found to worsen the risk of

heart disease, stroke, some cancers and Alzheimer's, while some

herbal supplements, such as red clover, have been found to do no

good.

Many women had been taking black cohosh because it seemed to

ease the hot flashes and, because it was herbal, many presumed it

was safe.

Not so, researcher Vicki Davis of the Mylan School of Pharmacy at

Duquesne University in Pittsburgh told a meeting of the American

Association for Cancer Research. She said a woman who did not

know she had cancer could be endangered by taking the

supplement. " This stresses that we really need more research into

herbal therapies and natural therapies. "

Davis and colleagues in her lab and in Canada fed black cohosh to

female mice bred so that they are prone to breast cancer. They

gave them the daily equivalent of 40 mg of the supplement, the

amount normally recommended for menopausal symptoms.

The mice were not any more likely to develop breast cancer in the

first place. But those that did develop it were more likely to see a

deadly spread of the cancer, Davis said.

Her team found that 27 percent of mice that ate black cohosh had

the cancer spread to the lung, compared to 11 percent of the mice

that did not eat the herb.

The findings do not prove that a woman with undiagnosed breast

cancer could be endangered by using black cohosh, but Davis said

it would be risky to take it. Women who have breast cancer - or

any other form of cancer - may need to be especially wary, she

said.

It is not clear how black cohosh may make cancer more likely to

spread, Davis said. " And one thing we don't know is whether it

might accelerate a tumor that might be likely to metastasize or

increase the numbers of tumors that would metastasize. But

neither one is good, " she said.

 

 

Best regards,

Email: <

 

WORK : Teagasc, c/o 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Mobile: 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

 

HOME : 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel : 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

WWW : http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/searchap.htm

 

Chinese Proverb: " Man who says it can't be done, should not interrupt man

doing it "

 

 

http://babel.altavista.com/

 

and adjust

accordingly.

 

If you , it takes a few days for the messages to stop being

delivered.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I think that when studies like this come out, it is important to do a

search in PubMed to see what other studies have been done on the same

or similar subject.

 

I just happen to be compiling what research I can find regarding the

hormonal affects of herbs commonly used with cancer patients for my

final project in my Oncology class -- I was particularly interested

in the estrogenic affects of herbs that would be c/c in patients w/

estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

 

Here are some of the reports that I have found that specifically

reference Black Cohash/Sheng Ma. These studies concluded that Sheng

Ma did not have an estrogenic affect on the MCF-7 Cells (a highly

aggressive cell line that is a human, breast cancer, grown in a

laboratory environment) nor did it promote the growth of the cancer

cells:

 

==================================

Toxicol Lett. 2004 May 2;150(3):271-5.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=15110078

Concomitant administration of an isopropanolic extract of black

cohosh and tamoxifen in the in vivo tumor model of implanted RUCA-I

rat endometrial adenocarcinoma cells.

 

black cohosh did not further growth or metastasizing potential of the

primary tumor

 

============================================

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2002 Nov;76(1):1-10.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=12408370

Influence of Cimicifuga racemosa on the proliferation of estrogen

receptor-positive human breast cancer cells.

 

Under estrogen-deprived conditions, the Cimicifuga racemosa (CR)-

extract (10(-3)-10(-5) dilutions) significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell

proliferation. Additionally, application of the CR-extract inhibited

estrogen-induced proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the

proliferation-inhibiting effect of tamoxifen was enhanced by the CR-

extract. Such data that suggest a non-estrogenic, or estrogen-

antagonistic effect of CR on human breast cancer cells lead to the

conclusion that CR treatment may be a safe, natural remedy for

menopausal symptoms in breast cancer.

 

 

==================================

Estrogenic activity of herbs commonly used as remedies for menopausal

symptoms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=11875334

 

Studied Dang Gui, Ren Shen, Sheng Ma (Black Cohosh), and Gan Cao

 

Their studies show that dang gui and ginseng stimulate the growth of

MCF-7 cells independent of estrogenic activity; whereas Sheng Ma and

Gan Cao did not.

 

 

==================================

Int J Oncol. 2003 Nov;23(5):1407-12

Black cohosh, a menopausal remedy, does not have estrogenic activity

and does not promote breast cancer cell growth.

Lupu R, Mehmi I, Atlas E, Tsai MS, Pisha E, Oketch-Rabah HA,

Nuntanakorn P, Kennelly EJ, Kronenberg F.

Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute, Northwestern

Medical School, Department of Medicine, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. r-

lupu

 

==================================

 

Joy

 

 

 

 

, " "

<@e...> wrote:

> Hi All,

>

> Hve any of you seen rapid spread of cancer after a client / patient

> used Black Cohosh?

>

[Guest guest]

, " jmk6142000 " <joy-keller@s...> wrote:

>

>

> I think that when studies like this come out, it is important to do a

> search in PubMed to see what other studies have been done on the same

> or similar subject.

 

excellent point. I was immediately concerned that the animal model used was not

accurate to extrapolate to all women since it involved mice genetically prone to

cancer.

What about 50 years of use in europe. There should be some epidemiological data

to

settle this matter.

 

[Guest guest]

Nadia BRAVO BRAVO

 

The concern over Black Cohosh (et al) is real and need to be addressed -

clearly as you have spoken.

 

my own thoughts.

pharmaceutical drugs are dangerous (widely accepted)

Standardized Herbal Extract equals a phytoceutical drug (widely unknown)

 

herbs are dangerous ????? (insidious goal of a few )

Standardized Herbal Extract are not a herb. (widely unknown)

 

Herbs are not used singulauarly in isolation

Herbs are used only in a differential diagnosis

 

Between the rock and the hard place lies TCM Practioner.

Because we foster herbs as healthy alternatives to treating illness. We

mistake illness for western defined " diseases " and offer a convenient or

profitable pill.

 

Ma Huang. Ban Xia, Gan Cao, Ginseng, now Sheng Ma.

All these " herbs " have been intentionally mis-used and marketed for a

different agenda.

 

thanks for your words and your work.

 

Ed Kasper LAc. Santa Cruz, CA

 

 

 

Fri, 26 Nov 2004 16:26:19 -0000

" Nadia Brydon " <nadia

Re: Black Cohosh may promote cancer spread?

 

 

Hello Phil,

 

Here is my two pence worth on Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)! Firstly

my short answer to your question about rapid spread of breast cancer from

using Black Cohosh: No I have not. (this is based on experience not

research).

 

Now my long answer!

 

Does 'research' into the dangers of herbs originate from a questionable

agenda? The 'herb' itself that is often used most frequently in research (I

am generalising as in the research paper to which you refer I have no idea

which type of black Cohosh was used) is not necessarily a whole herb, as a

herbalist might consider a herb to be, but a 'Standardised Extract' of that

herb. A Standardized Extract is a fractionated herb. It is the extracted

chemical constituent of the whole herb which has sometimes never even seen

the herb it purports to be. A Standardized Extract is simply the chemical

found in that herb which is 'believed' to be the 'active constituent' of

that herb. It has been found that Standardized Extracts sometimes do not

even contain the active constituent from the herb it is advertised to be but

the same chemical structrually which may be found from another herb or from

another source altogether. It also seems to be that Standardized Extracts

may produce side effects in the same way a pharmaceutical drug can have. Is

therefore a Standardized Extract nearly a pharmaceutical drug? Like

processed food does a processed herb bear little resemblance to the original

product?. How about calling a Standardized Extract a 'Phytoceutrical'?.

(the new pharmaceutical buzzword for their synthesized/fractionated

nutritional supplements are nutriceuticals which sounds less alarming than

pharmaceutically derived nutritional supplement)

 

So when I hear of 'research' outcomes I would need to see the research

details to feel comfortable that the research was not flawed. It is also

useful to know the origin of the funding for the research.

 

In Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy by Mills and Bone, Churchill

Livingstone ISBN 0 443 060169 P.304 " Unlike Oestradiol, black cohosh extract

did not stimulate growth of mammary tumour cells in vitro. In fact a dosage

of 2.5 ug/ml led to a strong inhibition of proliferation. The simultaneous

incubation of tumour cells with tamoxifen (anticarcinogenic agent, oestrogen

antagonist) and black cohosh displayed a much stronger inhibition of growth

than of either substance alone (Oestrogen is contraindicated in patients

with oestrogen receptor-positive breast carcinoma, since it promootes the

growth of the tumour cells.) Pretreatment with cimicifugoside inhibited

blastogenesis in mouse splenic lymphocytes and brought about a decrease in

the number of plaque-forming colonies using sheep erythrocytes

(SRBC)................ "

 

So whose research is correct. Do we follow research on a mouse or a glass

dish?

 

I have worked 2-3 days per week for the last 4 years for a Breast Cancer

charity in London as a herbalist (using Western and TCM herbs and

Acupuncture) treating nothing but women with breast cancer often

experiencing chemical induced menopausal hot flashes as well as suffering

all the side effects of Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, surgery and follow up

drugs such as Tamoxifen, Arimidex etc. The greatest overall side effect

being Hot flashes and night sweats. We are not allowed to use Black Cohosh

(a truly wonderful herb for the symptomatic relief of menopausal hot flashes

in some people) because of the differing opinions/research/fear surrounding

this and other herbs that contain Phytooestrogens.

 

It seems that no one really has the definitive answer least of all a poor

mouse! But after being involved with cancer for as long as I have (20

years) one gets to have a good idea based on experience not necessarily

research!

 

Having said all this, altering diet and treating hot flashes in women with

breast cancer according to TCM principles, Acupuncture and herbs there is no

need for Cimicifuga (but it is certainly very useful) and there are many

other ways to address hot flashes but eventually will we lose all our herbs

as we seem to be, one by one, until there is not one herb left to use? In

my experience with Cancer there is much more than phytooestrogens behind the

aetiology and progression of breast cancer.

 

I hope this reply has helped your own research into the matter.

 

Concerned and sadened for our future with herbs

 

Nadia

 

Nadia Brydon MRCHM. MNIMH. Dip Phyt. Dip Ac. MAR Hippocrates Health Educator

et al.

The Natural Health Clinic

London, UK

020 7798 8142

email: nadia

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/28/04 7:31:21 AM,

writes:

 

 

> Studied Dang Gui, Ren Shen, Sheng Ma (Black Cohosh), and Gan Cao

> >

> > Their studies show that dang gui and ginseng stimulate the growth of

> > MCF-7 cells independent of estrogenic activity; whereas Sheng Ma and

> > Gan Cao did not.

>

 

Do I understand this correctly, that dang gui and ren shen are stimulants to

estrogen-sensitive cancers?

Sharon

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I think that black cohosh (western herb) is different from sheng ma

 

-Jason

 

>

> jmk6142000 [joy-keller]

> Saturday, November 27, 2004 12:26 AM

>

> Re: Black Cohosh may promote cancer spread?

>

>

>

>

> I think that when studies like this come out, it is important to do a

> search in PubMed to see what other studies have been done on the same

> or similar subject.

>

> I just happen to be compiling what research I can find regarding the

> hormonal affects of herbs commonly used with cancer patients for my

> final project in my Oncology class -- I was particularly interested

> in the estrogenic affects of herbs that would be c/c in patients w/

> estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

>

> Here are some of the reports that I have found that specifically

> reference Black Cohash/Sheng Ma. These studies concluded that Sheng

> Ma did not have an estrogenic affect on the MCF-7 Cells (a highly

> aggressive cell line that is a human, breast cancer, grown in a

> laboratory environment) nor did it promote the growth of the cancer

> cells:

>

> ==================================

> Toxicol Lett. 2004 May 2;150(3):271-5.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

> cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=15110078

> Concomitant administration of an isopropanolic extract of black

> cohosh and tamoxifen in the in vivo tumor model of implanted RUCA-I

> rat endometrial adenocarcinoma cells.

>

> black cohosh did not further growth or metastasizing potential of the

> primary tumor

>

> ============================================

> Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2002 Nov;76(1):1-10.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

> cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=12408370

> Influence of Cimicifuga racemosa on the proliferation of estrogen

> receptor-positive human breast cancer cells.

>

> Under estrogen-deprived conditions, the Cimicifuga racemosa (CR)-

> extract (10(-3)-10(-5) dilutions) significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell

> proliferation. Additionally, application of the CR-extract inhibited

> estrogen-induced proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the

> proliferation-inhibiting effect of tamoxifen was enhanced by the CR-

> extract. Such data that suggest a non-estrogenic, or estrogen-

> antagonistic effect of CR on human breast cancer cells lead to the

> conclusion that CR treatment may be a safe, natural remedy for

> menopausal symptoms in breast cancer.

>

>

> ==================================

> Estrogenic activity of herbs commonly used as remedies for menopausal

> symptoms.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

> cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=11875334

>

> Studied Dang Gui, Ren Shen, Sheng Ma (Black Cohosh), and Gan Cao

>

> Their studies show that dang gui and ginseng stimulate the growth of

> MCF-7 cells independent of estrogenic activity; whereas Sheng Ma and

> Gan Cao did not.

>

>

> ==================================

> Int J Oncol. 2003 Nov;23(5):1407-12

> Black cohosh, a menopausal remedy, does not have estrogenic activity

> and does not promote breast cancer cell growth.

> Lupu R, Mehmi I, Atlas E, Tsai MS, Pisha E, Oketch-Rabah HA,

> Nuntanakorn P, Kennelly EJ, Kronenberg F.

> Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute, Northwestern

> Medical School, Department of Medicine, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. r-

> lupu

>

> ==================================

>

> Joy

>

>

>

>

> , " "

> <@e...> wrote:

> > Hi All,

> >

> > Hve any of you seen rapid spread of cancer after a client / patient

> > used Black Cohosh?

> >

>

>

>

>

Chinese Herbal Medicine offers various professional services, including

> board approved continuing education classes, an annual conference and a

> free discussion forum in Chinese Herbal Medicine.

>

>

>

>