Novel phytoandrogens and lipidic augmenters from Eucommia ulmoides.

Novel phytoandrogens and lipidic augmenters from Eucommia ulmoides.: BMC Complement Altern Med. 2007 Jan 29;7(1):3 Authors: Ong VY, Tan BK

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Plants containing compounds such as the isoflavonoids, with female hormone-like effects that bind to human estrogen receptors, are known. But none has been previously shown to have corresponding male hormone-like effects that interact with the human androgen receptor. Here, we report that the tree bark (cortex) of the Gutta-Percha tree, Eucommia ulmoides, possesses bimodal phytoandrogenic and hormone-potentiating effects by lipidic components. METHODS: The extracts of E. ulmoides were tested using in-vitro reporter gene bioassays and in-vivo animal studies. Key compounds responsible for the steroidogenic effects were isolated and identified using solid phase extraction (SPE), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), electron spray ionisation-mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). RESULTS: The following bioactivities of E. ulmoides were found: (1) a phenomenal tripartite synergism between the sex steroid androgen and estrogen receptors, their cognate steroidal ligands and lipidic augmenters isolated from E. ulmoides, (2) androgenic activity mediated by plant triterpenoids binding cognately to the androgen receptor (AR). CONCLUSION: In addition to well-known phytoestrogens, the existence of phytoandrogens is reported in this study. Furthermore, a form of tripartite synergism between sex steroid receptors, sex hormones and phytolipids is described for the first time. This could have contrasting clinical applications for hypogonadal- and hyperlipidaemic-related disorders.