Planta Med 2002; 68(5): 449-451
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-32089
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Estrogenic Activity of the Phytoestrogens Naringenin, 6-(1,1-Dimethylallyl)naringenin and 8-Prenylnaringenin

Oliver Zierau1 , Sven Gester2 , Pia Schwab2 , Peter Metz2 , Susanne Kolba1 , Marina Wulf1 , Günter Vollmer1
  • 1Institut für Zoologie, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
  • 2Institute für Organische Chemie, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

September 21, 2001

December 2, 2001

Publikationsdatum:
07. Juni 2002 (online)

Abstract

Chemically synthesized naringenin derivatives, identical to natural occurring compounds, were tested for their estrogenic activity using two independent estrogen screening assays. Using a yeast based estrogen receptor assay, strong estrogenic activities were demonstrated for 6-(1,1-dimethylallyl)naringenin and 8-prenylnaringenin, while the parent compound naringenin did not show recognizable estrogenic activity. In MVLN cells, a bioluminescent MCF-7-derived cell line, the estrogenic activity of 8-prenylnaringenin and 6-(1,1-dimethylallyl)naringenin was detected at concentrations of 10-6 M and 5 × 10-6 M respectively. Naringenin demonstrated estrogenic activity but only at a concentration of 10-5 M. These estrogenic effects are mediated by the ER, as the antiestrogen 4-hydroxytamoxifen inhibited these activities. In summary, this study provides the further confirmation that 8-prenylnaringenin demonstrates high estrogenic activity, and demonstrated for the first time for 6-(1,1-dimethylallyl)naringenin a reasonable high estrogenic activity, while naringenin exhibit low or no estrogenic activity.

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Dr. Oliver Zierau

Technische Universität Dresden

Institut für Zoologie

Zellescher Weg 20, EG., Raum: 28a

01217 Dresden

Germany

Telefon: +49-351-46 33 78 41

Fax: +49-351-46 3319 23

eMail: Oliver.Zierau@mailbox.tu-dresden.de