Effects of 20-OH ecdysone, a spinach (Spinacia oleracea) derived steroid, on metabolic and temperature regulatory parameters

Ecdysteroids have protein anabolic effects and spinach (spinacia oleracea) derived β-ecdysone prevents osteoporosis and deterioration of joint cartilage tissue in ovariectomized (ovx) rats [1,2]. It is devoid of estrogens or androgenic properties. In the present study we investigated the effects of Ecd on lipids and oral glucose tolerance test. Ecd augments effects of gamma butyric acid (GABA) in neurons and since GABA-ergic drugs are effective to ameliorate hot flashes in climacteric women, we also investigated the effects of β-ecdysone on hot flashes utilizing a newly developed technique to measure skin temperature in freely moving ovx animals. Rats were either fed with soy free food or with Ecd containing food (18mg/animal/day for 3 months). An oral glucose tolerance test was performed 4 weeks after ovx. Ecd significantly reduced serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and serum LDL but not HDL concentrations. Basal serum glucose concentrations were lower in Ecd treated animals than in the ovx controls and remained significantly lower following intragastric glucose application. Skin temperature in ovx animals showed pulses (hot flashes) every 20–40 minutes which were not seen in intact animals and Ecd treated ovx animals. We conclude that the Ecd treatment has beneficial effects of serum lipids which may be used in the human to prevent arteriosclerosis. Furthermore, Ecd prevents hot flashes which may be useful in the treatment of climacteric complaints of women.

References: 1. Kapur, P et al. (2010) Phytomedicine;17:350–355.

2. Seidlova-Wuttke, D, et al.(2010)J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 119, (3–5):121–126.