women

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa [L.] Nutt.): safety and efficacy for cancer patients.: Support Care Cancer. 2007 Aug;15(8):913-21 Authors: Walji R, Boon H, Guns E, Oneschuk D, Younus J

GOALS OF WORK: Black cohosh is commonly used to treat hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause. It is thought to have multiple mechanisms of action, including potential phytoestrogenic properties. This has caused some concern about its use by patients with hormone-sensitive cancer. This paper will present the results of a systematic review of the safety and efficacy of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa [L.] Nutt.) in patients with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A critical assessment of clinical (n = 5) and preclinical (n = 21) studies of black cohosh and cancer (breast and prostate) to treat hot flashes and other related symptoms is presented. In addition, clinical studies, case reports, animal studies, and in vitro assessments of the safety of black cohosh for patients with hormonally sensitive cancers is summarized and interpreted. MAIN RESULTS: In general, the research assessing efficacy of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes in women with breast cancer is inconclusive. There is laboratory evidence of antiproliferative properties but no confirmation from clinical studies for a protective role in cancer prevention. Black cohosh seems to have a relatively good safety profile. Concerns about liver toxicity are inconclusive. With relevance to cancer patients, black cohosh also seems not to exhibit phytoestrogenic activity and is in fact possibly an inhibitor of tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: The use of black cohosh appears to be safe in breast cancer patients without risk for liver disease, although further research is needed in this and other populations.

PMID: 17602247 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The plant alkaloid sanguinarine is a potential inhibitor of follicular angiogenesis.: J Reprod Dev. 2007 Jun;53(3):573-9 Authors: Basini G, Santini SE, Bussolati S, Grasselli F

Sanguinarine (SA), a phytobiotic from Sanguinaria Canadensis, has been demonstrated to inhibit vessel growth. Current restrictions on the use of antibiotic growth promoters have motivated addition of this alkaloid as a naturally appetizing feed additive for farm animals. However, concern may araise since angiogenesis is a fundamental event in ovarian follicle growth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential negative role of SA in follicular angiogenesis. For this purpose, we studied the effect of 300 nM SA on the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by swine granulosa cells from follicles >5 mm and on the activation of Akt, the main effector of the VEGF signalling pathway. In addition, the potential interference of SA in vessel development was tested in an in vitro angiogenesis bioassay. SA inhibited both VEGF production and VEGF-induced Akt activation in swine granulosa cells. Moreover, it was able to block vessel growth induced by VEGF. Taken together, our results suggest that SA could be detrimental to follicular angiogenesis, and therefore supplementation of feed with this alkaloid should be carefully considered.

PMID: 17310078 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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A pilot and feasibility study on the effects of naturopathic botanical and dietary interventions on sex steroid hormone metabolism in premenopausal women.: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007 Aug;16(8):1601-9 Authors: Greenlee H, Atkinson C, Stanczyk FZ, Lampe JW

Naturopathic physicians commonly make dietary and/or dietary supplement recommendations for breast cancer prevention. This placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, pilot study tested the effects of two naturopathic interventions over five menstrual cycles on sex steroid hormones and metabolic markers in 40 healthy premenopausal women. The intervention arms were as follows: combination botanical supplement (Curcuma longa, Cynara scolymus, Rosmarinus officinalis, Schisandra chinensis, Silybum marinum, and Taraxacum officinalis; n = 15), dietary changes (3 servings/d crucifers or dark leafy greens, 30 g/d fiber, 1-2 liters/d water, and limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption to 1 serving each/wk; n = 10), and placebo (n = 15). Early-and late-follicular phase serum samples from cycles 1 and 5 were analyzed for estrogens (estrone, estrone-sulfate, total estradiol, and free estradiol), androgens (dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, androstenedione, total testosterone, and free testosterone), sex hormone-binding globulin, and metabolic markers (insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, and leptin). Serum samples collected during the mid-luteal phase of cycles 1 and 5 were analyzed for total estradiol, free estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin. Urine samples collected during the late follicular phase of cycles 1 and 5 were analyzed for 2-hydroxyestrone and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone. During the early follicular phase, compared with placebo, the botanical supplement decreased dehydroepiandrosterone (-13.2%; P = 0.02), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (-14.6%; P = 0.07), androstenedione (-8.6%; P = 0.05), and estrone-sulfate (-12.0%; P = 0.08). No other trends or statistically significant changes were observed. When comparing dietary changes with placebo, no statistically significant differences were observed. Overall, in this pilot study, the naturopathic interventions had no substantial effects on estrogen measures. Early-follicular phase androgens decreased with the botanical supplement.

PMID: 17684134 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Traditional practices, beliefs and uses of medicinal plants in relation to maternal-baby health of Criollo woman in central Argentina.: Midwifery. 2007 Sep 28; Authors: Martínez GJ

OBJECTIVE: to present information on traditional practices and medicinal uses of plants for treating health diseases related to the reproductive cycle of Criollo women living in the hills of the province of Córdoba; and to interpret these uses in the context of this population's folk medicine. DESIGN: data were collected during several field trips to the study area based on the guidelines of a research project that included ethnographic and ethnobotanical aspects of the study area. SETTING: a rural community of central Argentina. PARTICIPANTS: a total of 62 peasants were interviewed on the basis of a semi-structured system. Repeated open and extensive interviews were also undertaken with seven women who had previously worked as midwives in areas of difficult access. FINDINGS: this study found that 12 different female diseases and complaints are treated using a total of 48 plant species belonging to 27 botanical families, with 71 different medicinal uses. The traditional beliefs and practices associated with maternal-baby health care in rural areas highlights the existing combination of principles reformulated from humoral medicine, the use of analogical reasoning, and ontological and functional interpretations of morbid processes. The principle of Hypocratical opposition and hot-cold categorisation are significant criteria that rule over the practices of mother and child health care during birth and puerperium. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: consequences of traditional knowledge on the health care of peasant women are discussed, based on the analysis of traditional practices from a peasant's point of view.

PMID: 17905491 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Prevention and treatment of vaginal bleeding after drug-induced abortion by Yaoliuan capsule and its effects on menses recovery.: J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci. 2005;25(3):346-7, 367 Authors: Jin Z, Huang G

In order to explore the effect of Yaoliuan capsule in the prevention and treatment of vaginal bleeding after drug-induced abortion and menses recovery after drug-induced abortion, 323 cases of gestation period < or = 49 days and without contraindication, were divided randomly into study group (168 cases, taking Yaoliuan capsule) and control group (155 cases, taking placebo capsule). The results showed that in the study group, there were 161 cases (95.8%) of complete abortion, 7 cases (4.2%) of incomplete abortion; In the control group, there were 146 cases (94.2%) of complete abortion, 6 cases (3.9%) of incomplete abortion, 3 cases (1.9%) of abortion failure. The vaginal bleeding time was 5-25 days (mean 10.8 days) in study group, while that was 6-62 days (mean 19.1 days) in control group. The menstrual cycle was 30.5+/-5. 2 days and 33.8 d+/-8.6 days respectively in study and control groups. The menstrual period was 6.1+/-3. 5 days and 9.9+/-5.1 days respectively in study and control groups. Yaoliuan capsule is an effective drug to prevent and treat vaginal bleeding following drug-induced abortion, promote menstruation recovery and prevent pelvic infection.

PMID: 16201292 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Intake of water, herbal teas and non-breast milks during the first month of life: Associated factors and impact on breastfeeding duration.: Early Hum Dev. 2007 Sep 19; Authors: Giugliani ER, do Espírito Santo LC, de Oliveira LD, Aerts D

BACKGROUND:: The use of non-breast milks seems to cause more harm to the child's health than the isolated introduction of water/herbal teas. AIMS:: Study the factors associated with introduction of water/herbal teas or non-breast milks during the first month of life and determine the impact of this supplementation on breastfeeding duration. STUDY DESIGN:: Nested cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS:: 220 mother-infant pairs contacted in the maternity ward, at 7 days and at the end of 1, 2, 4, and 6 months. OUTCOME MEASURES:: Introduction of water/herbal teas or non-breast milks in the first month of life based on data collected during a home visit 30 days after delivery. RESULTS:: Introduction of water/herbal teas was associated with maternal age <20 years (prevalence ratio=1.55; 95%CI 1.14-2.09), <6 prenatal consultations (1.48; 1.09-2.01), cohabitation with maternal grandmother (1.51; 1.10-2.10), and poor latch-on at 30 days (1.87; 1.35-2.58). Introduction of non-breast milks was associated with breastfeeding of previous children for <6 months (3.18; 1.18-8.58), cesarean (1.92; 1.07-3.44), poor latch-on at 30 days (2.82; 1.55-5.11), use of pacifier at 7 days (2.75; 1.38-5.48), introduction of herbal teas in the first 7 days (2.75; 1.15-4.15) and breast engorgement at 7 days (2.19; 1.01-3.16). Introduction of non-breast milks negatively influenced breastfeeding duration (p<0.001); this was not observed with water/herbal teas (p=0.277). CONCLUSION:: Priority should be given to preventing the early introduction on non-breast milks, especially in mother-infant pairs with associated risk factors.

PMID: 17888592 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Gene expression profiling reveals effects of Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) NUTT. (black cohosh) on the estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.: BMC Pharmacol. 2007 Sep 20; 7(1): 11 Gaube F, Wolfl S, Pusch L, Kroll TC, Hamburger M

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Extracts from the rhizome of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) are increasingly popular as herbal alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the alleviation of postmenopausal disorders. However, the molecular mode of action and the active principles are presently not clear. Previously published data have been largely contradictory. We, therefore, investigated the effects of a lipophilic Cimicifuga rhizome extract and cycloartane-type triterpenoids on the estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. RESULTS: Both extract and purified compounds clearly inhibited cellular proliferation. Gene expression profiling with the extract allowed us to identify 431 regulated genes with high significance. The extract induced expression pattern differed from those of 17beta-estradiol or the estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen. We observed a significant enrichment of genes in an anti-proliferative and apoptosis-sensitizing manner, as well as an increase of mRNAs coding for gene products involved in several stress response pathways. These functional groups were highly overrepresented among all regulated genes. Also several transcripts coding for oxidoreductases were induced, as for example the cytochrome P450 family members 1A1 and 1B1. In addition, some transcripts associated with antitumor but also tumor-promoting activity were regulated. Real-Time RT-PCR analysis of 13 selected genes was conducted after treatment with purified compounds - the cycloartane-type triterpene glycoside actein and triterpene aglycons - showing similar expression levels compared to the extract. CONCLUSION: No estrogenic but antiproliferative and proapoptotic gene expression was shown for black cohosh in MCF-7 cells at the transcriptional level. The effects may be results of the activation of different pathways. The cycloartane glycosides and - for the first time - their aglycons could be identified as an active principle in black cohosh.

Evolution of medical treatment for endometriosis: back to the roots?: Hum Reprod Update. 2007 Jun 16; Wieser F, Cohen M, Gaeddert A, Yu J, Burks-Wicks C, Berga SL, Taylor RN

Experimental evidence is accumulating to suggest that medicinal botanicals have anti-inflammatory and pain-alleviating properties and hold promise for treatment of endometriosis. Herein, we present a systematic review of clinical and experimental data on the use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of endometriosis. Although there is a general lack of evidence from clinical studies on the potential efficacy of medicinal herbs for the treatment of endometriosis-associated symptoms, our review highlights the anti-inflammatory and pain-alleviating mechanisms of action of herbal remedies. Medicinal herbs and their active components exhibit cytokine-suppressive, COX-2-inhibiting, antioxidant, sedative and pain-alleviating properties. Each of these mechanisms of action would be predicted to have salutary effects in endometriosis. Better understanding of the mechanisms of action, toxicity and herb-herb and herb-drug interactions permits the optimization of design and execution of complementary alternative medicine trials for endometriosis-associated pain. A potential benefit of herbal therapy is the likelihood of synergistic interactions within individual or combinations of plants. In this sense, phytotherapies may be analogous to nutraceuticals or whole food nutrition. We encourage the development of herbal analogues and establishment of special, simplified registration procedures for certain medicinal products, particularly herbal derivates with a long tradition of safe use.

Effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism.: Phytother Res. 2007 May;21(5):444-7 Authors: Akdoğan M, Tamer MN, Cüre E, Cüre MC, Köroğlu BK, Delibaş N

Mentha spicata Labiatae, known as spearmint and Mentha piperita Labiatae, known as peppermint can be used for various kinds of illnesses in herbal medicine and flavoring in industry. M. spicata Labiatae grows on the Anamas plateau of Yenithornarbademli town of Isparta, located in southwest part of Turkey. In this town, clinicians thought that consumption of tea steeped with M. spicata or M. piperita caused a diminished libido. Because antiandrogenic effects of spearmint and peppermint were found previously in rats, it was decided to observe the effect of this herbal tea on the androgen levels in hirsute women.Twenty-one female hirsute patients, 12 with polycystic ovary syndrome and 9 with idiopathic hirsutism were included to the study. They were took a cup of herbal tea which was steeped with M. spicata for 5 days twice a day in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles. After treatment with spearmint teas, there was a significant decrease in free testosterone and increase in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol. There were no significant decreases in total testosterone or dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate levels. Spearmint can be an alternative to antiandrogenic treatment for mild hirsutism. Further studies are needed to test the reliability of these results and the availability of spearmint as a drug for hirsutism.

PMID: 17310494 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Ginkgo biloba and ovarian cancer prevention: epidemiological and biological evidence.: Cancer Lett. 2007 Jun 18;251(1):43-52 Authors: Ye B, Aponte M, Dai Y, Li L, Ho MC, Vitonis A, Edwards D, Huang TN, Cramer DW

There is considerable interest in herbal therapies for cancer prevention but often with little scientific evidence to support their use. In this study, we examined epidemiological data regarding effects of commonly used herbal supplements on risk for ovarian cancer and sought supporting biological evidence. 4.2% of 721 controls compared to 1.6% of 668 cases regularly used Ginkgo biloba for an estimated relative risk (and 95% confidence interval) of 0.41 (0.20,0.84) (p=0.01); and the effect was most apparent in women with non-mucinous types of ovarian cancer, RR=0.33 (0.15,0.74) (p=0.007). In vitro experiments with normal and ovarian cancer cells showed that Ginkgo extract and its components, quercetin and ginkgolide A and B, have significant anti-proliferative effects ( approximately 40%) in serous ovarian cancer cells, but little effect in mucinous (RMUG-L) cells. For the ginkgolides, the inhibitory effect appeared to be cell cycle blockage at G0/G1 to S phase. This combined epidemiological and biological data provide supportive evidence for further studies of the chemopreventive or therapeutic effects of Ginkgo and ginkgolides on ovarian cancer.

PMID: 17194528 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]