Black cohosh, a menopausal remedy, does not have estrogenic activity and does not promote breast cancer cell growth

  • Authors:
    • R. Lupu
    • I. Mehmi
    • E. Atlas
    • M.-S. Tsai
    • E. Pisha
    • H. A. Oketch-Rabah
    • P. Nuntanakorn
    • E. J. Kennelly
    • F. Kronenberg
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 1, 2003     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.5.1407
  • Pages: 1407-1412
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Abstract

Black cohosh is an increasingly popular alternative to estrogen replacement therapy for the relief of menopausal symptoms, primarily hot flushes. However, an important consideration for long-term therapy is potential toxicity and carcinogenicity. Therefore, we undertook a study to assess the estrogenic activity of black cohosh to examine its safety for those with, or at high risk of developing, breast cancer. Several assays were utilized as listed: RNAse protection assays, which ascertain the regulation of the expression of E2-responsive genes; estrogen-responsive-element (ERE)-luciferase, which determines modulation of the ER function by transactivation of the ERE; the Ishikawa cell system, which has an E2-regulated endogenous alkaline phosphatase; and colony formation of ER-expressing breast cancer cells, which indicates possible progression of early stage breast cancer into a more aggressive state. Black cohosh extracts did not demonstrate estrogenic activity in any of these assay systems. This is an encouraging step in the assessment of the safety of black cohosh for treatment of menopausal hot flushes.

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November 2003
Volume 23 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Lupu R, Mehmi I, Atlas E, Tsai M, Pisha E, Oketch-Rabah HA, Nuntanakorn P, Kennelly EJ and Kronenberg F: Black cohosh, a menopausal remedy, does not have estrogenic activity and does not promote breast cancer cell growth. Int J Oncol 23: 1407-1412, 2003.
APA
Lupu, R., Mehmi, I., Atlas, E., Tsai, M., Pisha, E., Oketch-Rabah, H.A. ... Kronenberg, F. (2003). Black cohosh, a menopausal remedy, does not have estrogenic activity and does not promote breast cancer cell growth. International Journal of Oncology, 23, 1407-1412. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.5.1407
MLA
Lupu, R., Mehmi, I., Atlas, E., Tsai, M., Pisha, E., Oketch-Rabah, H. A., Nuntanakorn, P., Kennelly, E. J., Kronenberg, F."Black cohosh, a menopausal remedy, does not have estrogenic activity and does not promote breast cancer cell growth". International Journal of Oncology 23.5 (2003): 1407-1412.
Chicago
Lupu, R., Mehmi, I., Atlas, E., Tsai, M., Pisha, E., Oketch-Rabah, H. A., Nuntanakorn, P., Kennelly, E. J., Kronenberg, F."Black cohosh, a menopausal remedy, does not have estrogenic activity and does not promote breast cancer cell growth". International Journal of Oncology 23, no. 5 (2003): 1407-1412. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.5.1407