Abstract

The objective of the study was to search for the appropriate herbal extracts by comparative analysis of their estrogenic and cytotoxic activities. Some potentially estrogenic activity of herbal extracts in the management of female disorder symptoms was investigated by E-screen assay. The extracts having a promising activity were further evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity. Of 13 herbal extracts tested, 10 showed interesting estrogenic properties. These were Pueraria candollei var mirifica, Linum usitatissimum, Glycine max, Curcuma aeruginosa, Cissus quadrangularis, Tadehagi godefroyanum, Curcuma comosa, Butea superba, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Punica granatum. The proliferative activity of those extracts could be completely inhibited by the addition of an estrogen receptor antagonist. The extract of T. foenum-graecum exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity on mouse fibroblast cells (cell viability <80% at 100 µg/ml) while a growth-promoting effect could be observed forP. candollei var mirifica, C. aeruginosa, C. quadrangularis and C. comosa. Pre-treatment of those 10 extracts to the mouse fibroblast cells prior to the addition of H₂O₂ reduced the apoptotic cells as well as increased the percentage of cell survival. Nine (9) extracts (not T. foenum-graecum) were selected as potentially active ingredients for the treatment of skin-ageing in post-menopausal women.

Key words: Phytoestrogen, MCF-7 cells, cytotoxicity, traditional Thai medicine, anti-skin-ageing product.