Assessment of the effects of naringenin-type flavanones in uterus and vagina. Issue 145 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keiler, Annekathrin Martina; Dörfelt, Peggy; Chatterjee, Namita; Helle, Janina; Bader, Manuela I.; Vollmer, Günter; Kretzschmar, Georg; Kuhlee, Franziska; Thieme, Detlef; Zierau, Oliver
• Is Part Of: Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology. Issue 145(2015)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 57
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: 8-Prenylnaringenin -- 6-(1, 1-Dimethylallyl)naringenin -- Naringenin -- 17β-Estradiol -- Estrogenicity -- Uterus -- Vagina; Steroid hormones -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Hormones -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Hormones stéroïdes -- Périodiques; Steroid hormones; Periodicals; 572.579
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2014.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-0760

Abstract

Highlights: 8PN was slightly uterotrophic and induced gain in uterine glandular epithelial thickness in ovx rats. Naringenin-type flavanones did not stimulate uterine cell proliferation. Vaginal atrophy was not prevented by naringenin, 8PN or 6DMAN. Abstract: The potential utilization of plant secondary metabolites possessing estrogenic properties as alternatives to the classical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the relief of postmenopausal complaints asks for an evaluation regarding the safety in reproductive organs. In order to contribute to the estimation of the safety profile of the flavanones naringenin (Nar), 8‑prenylnaringenin (8PN) and 6‑(1, 1‑dimethylally) naringenin (6DMAN), we investigated uterus and vagina derived from a three‑day uterotrophic assay in rats. Also, we investigated the metabolite profile resulting from the incubation of the three substances with liver microsomes. While no metabolites were detectable for naringenin, hydroxylation products were observed for 8PN and 6DMAN after incubation with human as well as rat liver microsomes. The parent compound naringenin did not evoke any estrogenic responses in the investigated parameters. A significant increase of the uterine wet weight, uterine epithelial thickness and proliferating vaginal cells was observed in response to 8PN, questioning the safety of 8PN if applied in the human situation. In contrast, no estrogenic effects on the reproductive organs were observed for 6DMAN in the conducted study, rendering it the compound with a more promising safety profile, therefore justifying further investigations into its efficacy to alleviate postmenopausal discomforts.