Planta Med 2008; 74 - PA306
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084304

The differential estrogenic activity of the phytoestrogen-rich herb, Pueraria mirifica

W Cherdshewasart 1, S Patcharaporn 2, S Sriwatcharakul 2, S Malaivijitnond 3
  • 1Department of Biology
  • 2Program of Biotechnology
  • 3Primate Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phyathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Pueraria mirifica (Fabaceae) is a phytoestrogen-rich plant [1,2]. Three cultivars of P. mirifica were grown for 3 years and tubers were collected randomly during the summer as well as rainy and winter seasons. Ovariectomized female Wistar rats were treated with: 200µg/100g BW 17β-estradiol (E2) or tuberous powder of P. mirifica at dosages of 100, or 1000mg/kg BW for 14 days. Vaginal cornification and uterotrophic effects exhibited a dose-dependent response. Plant samples collected during the winter and summer were more active than those collected in the rainy season. The results suggest that P. mirifica exhibits a dose-dependent estrogenic activity which is influenced by both seasonal changes and plant genetics.

References: 1. Cherdshewasart, W. et al. (2007)J Pharm Biomed Anal 43: 428–34.

2. Cherdshewasart, W., Sriwatcharakul, S. (2008) Maturitas 59:128–36.