Estrogenic Effect of Some Herbs

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UPCI presents study on estrogenic activity of medicinal botanicals

PITTSBURGH, April 5 – Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh

Cancer Institute (UPCI) will present their findings at the 93rd

annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research being

held April 6-10 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.

Estrogenic activity discovered in several commonly used medicinal

botanicals

 

 

Plant extracts are often used to relieve gynecological conditions

such as menopausal symptoms as well as depression and other chronic

illnesses. Although used widely, many of these remedies have not

been thoroughly examined. Researchers at UPCI are studying several

plant extracts to learn more about their safety, potency and

hormonal properties. In one such study, UPCI researchers found

evidence that some of these extracts interact with estrogen

receptors and induce strong estrogenic responses in female rats

whose ovaries were removed.

 

" Our results indicate that some herbal remedies demonstrate

measurable estrogenic activity, in spite of the fact that they are

not traditionally used as such, " said Patricia Eagon, Ph.D.,

associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and

principal investigator of the study. " This is important since it

suggests that some extracts may not be appropriate for women who

have a family or personal history of cancers that are linked to

higher levels of estrogen, including breast and uterine cancer.

While plant extracts can alleviate symptoms for a variety of

conditions, women should practice caution when using them and may

want to avoid their use for conditions in which estrogens are

contraindicated. " Of the extracts studied, motherwort leaf, saw

palmetto berry, rhodiola rosea root and red clover blossom were the

most potent in terms of their estrogenic activity, and extracts of

maca root, cramp bark and tumeric root were the least potent.