Extracts of Q'eqchi Mayan Piper and Cissampelos species alter reporter gene and endogenous gene expression in MCF-7 cells

The genus Piper (Piperaceae) contains approximately 1000 species of herbs, shrubs, small trees and hanging vines distributed in both hemispheres. Species belonging to this genus are included in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine, as well as in folklore medicine of Latin America. During our ethnomedical work in Guatemala, of the 27 plant families documented for use by the Q'eqchi Maya for reproductive disorders, the most prominent were the Piperaceae (15%) and Menispermiaceae. Our previous work showed that extracts from Piper and Cissampelos species bound to both the estrogen and progesterone receptors. In this work, active extracts from Piper aeruginosibaccum Trelease, P. auritum HBK, P. tuerckheimii C.DC and Cissampelos tropaeolifolia DC. were tested in functionalized cell based bioassays including a SEAP reporter gene and by qPCR of ER-responsive gene expression in MCF-7 cells. In the reporter gene assay, P. aeruginosibaccum (20µg/ml) was estrogenic and enhanced E2 effects in MCF-7 cell. P. tuerckheimii was not estrogenic alone but significantly enhanced the effects of E2 on SEAP reporter gene expression. Both P. aeruginosibaccum and P tuerckheimii altered mRNA expression of E2 responsive genes in MCF-7 cells. C. tropaeolifolia DC. (20 µg/ml) was also active. Data from functionalized assays suggest that extracts of plant species from the Piperaceae and Menispermiaceae enhance estrogen responsive gene expression that supports their use by the Q'eqchi Maya women in Guatemala for reproductive health disorders.