Qing-wei Zhao1, Yi-jia Lou. 1. College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the estrogenic activity and its mechanism of ethanol extract from black soybean (BSE). METHOD: The modified MCF-7 cell proliferation assay was used to evaluate the estrogenic activity of BSE. And the possible mechanisms were addressed using RT-PCR measurements in which pure estrogen receptor antagonist ICI182,780 was employed as a tool. RESULT: The estrogenic activity of BSE at various concentrations (1-1000 microg x mL(-1)), expressed as proliferative effect (PE) relative to that of solvent control, was examined. The results indicated that, at low concentration range (10-200 microg x mL(-1)), BSE was able to induce MCF-7 cell growth with a maximum at 100 microg x mL(-1). The results of RT-PCR showed that pS2 and PR mRNA could be significantly induced by BSE in MCF-7 cells, which was relative to the concentration of BSE. Moreover, the specific estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI182,780 could block these reactions. CONCLUSION: Ethanol extract of black soybean can stimulate the growth of MCF-7 cells and increase the expression of estrogen receptor-responsive gene, suggesting that the estrogenic effects of BSE are mediated by the estrogen receptor.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the estrogenic activity and its mechanism of ethanol extract from black soybean (BSE). METHOD: The modified MCF-7 cell proliferation assay was used to evaluate the estrogenic activity of BSE. And the possible mechanisms were addressed using RT-PCR measurements in which pure estrogen receptor antagonist ICI182,780 was employed as a tool. RESULT: The estrogenic activity of BSE at various concentrations (1-1000 microg x mL(-1)), expressed as proliferative effect (PE) relative to that of solvent control, was examined. The results indicated that, at low concentration range (10-200 microg x mL(-1)), BSE was able to induce MCF-7 cell growth with a maximum at 100 microg x mL(-1). The results of RT-PCR showed that pS2 and PR mRNA could be significantly induced by BSE in MCF-7 cells, which was relative to the concentration of BSE. Moreover, the specific estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI182,780 could block these reactions. CONCLUSION:Ethanol extract of black soybean can stimulate the growth of MCF-7 cells and increase the expression of estrogen receptor-responsive gene, suggesting that the estrogenic effects of BSE are mediated by the estrogen receptor.