Estrogenic activity of a Rhus verniciflua extract and its major components

• Published in: Journal of functional foods Vol. 11; pp. 250 - 260
• Main Authors: Sun, Seunghan, Choi, Yun-Ho, Na, Chun-Soo, Lee, Dongho, Yoo, Hye Hyun, Hong, Cheol Yi, Ahn, Byung Yoon, Dong, Mi-Sook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Estrogen receptor α and β; Estrogenic activity; Reporter gene assay; Rhus verniciflua stokes; Uterotrophic assay; Reporter gene assay; Uterotrophic assay; Rhus verniciflua stokes; Estrogen receptor α and β; Estrogenic activity
• ISSN: 1756-4646; 2214-9414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2014.09.014

•Hot water xylem extracts of Rhus verniciflua Stokes were rich in polyphenol compounds.•The RVE showed estrogenic activity mediated with a stronger binding affinity to ERβ than to ERα.•Butein and sulfuretin has more strong ERβ binding affinity compared with others.•Estrogenic activity of RVE will be helpful for post-menopausal women. Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been used as a traditional herbal medicine, a food additive, and a material for lacquer in Korea. In this study, hot water extracts of R. verniciflua Stokes xylem (RVE) and purified compounds were examined for estrogenic activity. RVE showed estrogenic activity mediated by estrogen receptors (ER) with a higher binding affinity and activity to ERβ than to ERα in ERα- or ERβ-transfected cells. It also exhibited estrogenic activity in a uterotrophic assay using rats. All of RVE compounds had high affinity to ERβ compared with ERα in reporter gene assay and ER binding assay. Among seven RVE compounds, butin, butein, sulfuretin, and garbanzol had a strong estrogenic activity in ERE-mediated reporter gene assay. Butein and sulfuretin had stronger ERβ binding affinity compared with others. Collectively, these results demonstrate an estrogenic activity of RVE and suggest its potential value for postmenopausal women.