• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.93-97
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• 2003

Alternative or complementary medicine plays an important role in health care system. Ginseng, being one of the most popular oriental herbs, is believed to contain various steroid hormone activity. Ginseng has been demonstrated pharmacological effect in the cardiovascular, endocrine, central nervous, and immune system. Our objective was to study that total saponin might mediate some of their actions by binding to the steroid hormone receptor, as they share many of the actions of steroid hormone in various physiological system. Using total saponin from Panax Ginseng, we have studied the possibility of total saponin being a potential estrogen receptor, androgen receptor, and retinoic acid receptor ligand. Total saponin activated the transcription of both the estrogen and androgen responsive luciferase reporter plasmids at a concentration of 100$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in COS cells transiently transfected with the corresponding receptor and hormone responsive receptor plasmids. And total saponin caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of estrogen receptor. Total saponin increased the expression of estrogen responsive c-fos proto-oncogene at the protein level in MCF7 cells at 24 h treatment as examined by Western analysis. The c-fos induction was used as a specific marker of estrogen responsiveness. This activation was inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780. However, total saponin failed to activate the retinoic acid receptor in COS cells transiently transfected with the corresponding receptor and retinoic acid responsive reporter plasmids. These results show that total saponin is capable of activating estrogen and androgen receptors.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2002

Objective : To evaluate the difference between estrogen only therapy and estrogen-androgen combination therapy in surgical menopause patients. Materials and Method: Surgical menopause patients received 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens or 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens plus 1.25 mg methyltestosterone for 2 years. Bone mineral density, menopausal symptoms, lipoprotein profiles were measured. Results: Both groups showed increased bone mineral density. In the combination group, total cholestero l, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides decreased. In the estrogen only group, low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased but high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly. In both groups, menopausal symptoms were much improved. Side effects were easily tolerated in both groups. Conclusions: Estrogen-androgen combination therapy had comparable benefits compared with estrogen only therapy.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.209-218
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• 1999

Objectives : The aims of this study were to discriminate the clinical differences, to measure the estrogen and homovanillic acid levels, to evaluate a correlation between estrogen and homovanillic acid, and to identify an association of cognitive deficit with estrogen and homovanillic acid among male and female schizophrenics. Methods : In addition to the structured interviews, the plasma estrogen levels by radioimmunoassay and the homovanillic acid levels by HPLC were measured in 20 male and 21 female schizophrenics as well as 10 healthy male and 9 female controls. Results : 1) The plasma estrogen levels were higher in females than males, and significantly higher in female schizophenics than female controls. The homovanillic acid levels were higher in female schizophrenics than female controls, and were lower in male schizophrenics than male controls. 2) The onset age seemed to be earlier in male schizophrenics, and the frequency of admission, duration of antipsychotic drug administration, dosage of antipsychotics and duration of illnesses were more in males. The estrogen and homovanillic acid levels were significantly higher in female schizophrenics. 3) The estrogen levels had a significant positive correlation with sex, age and onset age, while the homovanillic acid levels did with sex. However, estrogen were not correlated with homovanillic acid levels. 4) The estrogen and homovanillic acid levels were not significantly different between male and female schizophrenics with cognitive deficits. In the schizophrenic patients without cognitive deficits, the estrogen levels were significantly higher in females, while there were no significant sex differences in homovanillic acid. 5) In the male and female schizophrenics predominantly with negative symptoms, there were no significant differences in estrogen and homovanillic acid levels. In those predominantly with positive symptoms, the estrogen levels were significantly higher in females, while there were no sex differences in homovanillic acid levels. 6) In schizophrenics with undifferentiated subtype, the estrogen and homovanillic acid levels were significantly higher in females. In those with paranoid or disorganized subtypes, the estrogen levels were significantly higher in females, while there were no sex differences in the homovanillic acid levels. 7) The mean values of PANSS-negative, PANSS-total, PANSS-CF, MMSE-K and estrogen levels were significantly higher in male schizophrenics with cognitive deficits. The mean values of illness duration, CGI, PANSS-positive, PANSS-negative, PANSS-total, PANSS-CF and MMSE-K were significantly higher in female schizophrenics with cognitive deficits. 8) The variables which showed significant correlation with cognitive deficits were PANSS-negative, PANSS-total, PANSS-CF, MMSE-K and estrogen levels in male schizophrenics. The variables which showed significant correlation with cognitive deficits were subtypes, onset age, illness durataion, CGI, PANSS-positive, PANSS-negative, PANSS-total, PANMSS-CF and MMSE-K in female schizophrenics. The estrogen levels were significantly correlated with admission frequencies, history of antipsychotic administration, duration of antipsychotic administration and cognitive deficits in male schizophrenics, while age were not correlated with in females. The homovanillic acid levels had a significant correlation with subtypes and onset age in male schizophrenics, while there were no correlation among variables in females. Conclusions : Although the plasma concentrations of estrogen and homovanillic acid in female schizophrenics were significantly higher than males, we could not find an association between them. Furthermore, the various factors affecting on the cognitive deficits, estrogen and homovanillic acid levels seemed to be somewhat different according to sex.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.281-289
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• 1997

The study was designed to investigate the effects of progesterone and estrogen on the uterus of rats by immunohistochemical methods using Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) antibody. Eighteen female rats(Wistar), weighing initially about 300g, were ovariectomized. These rats were divided into four groups, progesterone-treated group, estrogen-treated group, estrogen+progesterone-treated group, and control group, progesterone-treated group was injected with 1mg of progesterone per rat per day for 2 days and estrogen-treated group with $20{\mu}g$ of $17{\beta}-estradiol$ for 3 days and estrogen+progesterone-treated group with $17{\beta}-estrdiol$ for 3 days and then with progesterone for 2 days as above. In gross findings, the uteri were markedly hypertrophied by estrogen treatment but were not affect in size by progesterone treatment. Immunohistochemical investigation was performed on the cell types with higher appearance of PCNA positive reaction cells in four groups. The groups with higher appearance of the stromal cells were ordered as estrogen-treated group, progesterone-treated group, estrogen+progesterone-treated group, and control group. The muscle cells were ordered as progesterone-treated group, estrogen-treated group, estrogen+progesterone-treated group, and control group. Positive reaction cells of the stromal cells were total 4.6 times higher than those of muscle cells. Therefore, the affect of the hypertrophy on the uterus by estrogen was larger than those of progesterone and affect on the uterus by stromal cells were larger than those of muscle cells. The group with more PCNA positive reaction cells of luminal epithelial cells were ordered as control group, progesterone-treated group, estrogen+progesterone-treated group, and estrogen-treated group, and glandular epithelial cells were ordered as estrogen+progesterone-treated group, progesterone-treated group, control group, and estrogen-treated group. It was suggested that estrogen and progesterone did not affect on the proliferating cells of luminal epithelial cells and affection of progesterone on the development of glandular epithelial cell was larger than that of estrogen.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.850-855
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to develop a exercise program adapted from pelvic muscle exercise, and to analyze the effect of the exercise program on the physical fitness and the physiological parameters including bone density total estrogen and progesterone. The exercise program was composed of warming-up(10 min), main exercise(40 min) and warming-down(10 min). The 20 middle-aged women between 40 and 60 years old were divided into four group; the control group(6 women), the exercise group (7 women), and exercise group with soybean milk supplement(7 women). The exercise group with soybean milk group was applied three times a week and two packs of the soybean milk per day were given. The result of this study were as follows. In the percent fat change of within group, the exercise group showed significant decreased before than after the exercise. In the change of between group, the control group showed significant decreased than the exercise group with soybean milk group. In the body composition change of between group, the exercise group with soybean milk group showed significant decreased in body mass index than the control group. In the total estrogen change of within group, the pelvic muscle exercise with soybean milk group showed the decreased before than after the exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.49-67
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the effects of Hwanggimacmundong-tang extract (HM) on obese rats with estrogen deficiency. Methods: The experiments were performed with ovariectomized rats as estrogen-deficient obesity model. Rats were grouped NC (Normal Control Group; sham operation group), OC (Obesity Control Group; estrogen-deficient group), HML (20 mg/kg/day), HMH (100 mg/kg/day). HM was administered orally for six weeks. Body weights and serum lipid level were measured, and real-time PCR was performed to estimate the effect of HM on gene expression in liver. Results: HM decreased the total cholesterol and triglyceride in serum. And HM increased leptin, CPT1 gene expression in liver tissue of obese rats with estrogen deficiency. However HM decreased $PPAR{\gamma}$, $PGC-1{\alpha}$, HMGCR, CYP8B1, LPL, ACAT1, ACAT2, ApoB, ACOX gene expression in liver tissue of obese rats with estrogen deficiency. Conclusions: It is concluded that HM reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride in serum, and regulate gene expression related to lipid metabolism. These results indicate Hwanggimacmundong-tang that might have potential for treatment of obesity and complications during the menopause caused by estrogen-deficiency.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.89-94
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• 2002

Effect of Gamisamul-tang(GS) on body weight, uterine weight, splenial weight, serum and estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) in kidney were investigated in ovariectomized(OVX) rats. Female Sprague -Dawley rats with a body weight of 220 g were undergone ovariectomy or sham operation. The ovariectomy caused significant decrease in serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and in uterine weight compared to those of sham-operated animals. while caused significant increase in serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, body weight and in splenial weight. In contrast, administration of OVX rats with the GS significantly elevated serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and uterine weight, but significantly depressed serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, body weight and in splenial weight. ER-α localized in the kidney vessel endothelial cells and its expression was increased by ovariectomy and decreased by administration of OVX rats with the GS. Our results suggest that a possible protective effect of as against hyperlipidemia in postmenopausal cardiovascular disease and as increase the estrogen-estrogen receptor romp/ex in the kidney vessel endothelial cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2012

Ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of many diseases and for general health maintenance in people of all ages. Ginseng is also used to ameliorate menopausal systems. We investigated the estrogenic activity of Korean red ginseng (KRG) in a transient transfection system, using estrogen receptor (ER) and estrogen-responsive luciferase plasmids in MCF-7 cells. The extract activated both ER${\alpha}$ and ER${\beta}$. KRG modulated the mRNA levels of estrogen-responsive genes such as pS2 and ESR1 and decreased the protein level of ER${\alpha}$. In order to examine in vivo estrogenic activity of KRG, sixteen female Sprague-Dawley rats separated into four groups were studied for nine weeks: non-ovariectomized (OVX) rats treated with olive oil, OVX rats treated with olive oil, OVX rats treated with 17-${\beta}$-estradiol (E2) in olive oil, and OVX rats treated with KRG extract in olive oil. The experiments were repeated for three times and the data of twelve rats were combined. Body weight of OVX rats was greater than that of sham-operated control rats and was decreased by E2 treatment. Uterine weight increased after E2 treatment compared to OVX rats. However, no difference in body or uterine weight was observed with KRG intake. KRG induced reductions in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol, but not to the same degree as did E2 intake. These results show that KRG does contain estrogenic activity as manifested by in vitro study but the activity is not strong enough to elicit physiological responses.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.649-660
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• 2021

In this study, soybean pods of 45 soybean landraces (or varieties) were classified as yellow (19 samples), black (23 samples), or black in green (3 samples) based on soybean seed coat color. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and estrogen-like activities were assessed. Total polyphenol and flavonoid content ranges were 24.13-108.03 mg GAE/g and 3.31-72.02 mg CE/g, respectively, and were highest in the black group followed by the yellow group and were least in the black in green group, while ABTS and DPPH activities followed the order black in green > black > yellow. Estrogen-like and estrogen receptor-α activity ranges were 29.06-35.58 pg/mL and 7.05-10.13 pg/mL and were followed the order yellow > black > black in green and black in green > yellow > black, respectively. Nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory and UCP-1 activities followed the same order as estrogen receptor-α activities. Our findings suggest that soybean pods are excellent sources of antioxidants and high-quality functional materials.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2016

Male reproductive organs are strongly affected by estrogen signaling mediated via the estrogen receptor. In this study, propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), an estrogen receptor alpha agonist, was subcutaneously injected in adult male mice every 2 days for a total duration of 8, 16, or 24 days. Histological changes in the reproductive organs, including the testes, efferent ductules, and epididymides, were observed. The weight of the reproductive organs decreased in the PPT group. In addition, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules decreased in the PPT group compared with the control group. The epithelial cell height decreased in the initial segment of the epididymis, whereas the luminal diameter increased in the efferent ductules of the PPT group. PPT induced irregular morphology of stereocilia in the luminal region of the initial segment. Therefore, PPT treatment at high concentrations had inhibitory effects in the reproductive organs of adult male mice. These findings suggest that short-term treatment with estrogen receptor agonist causes histological changes in the testes, efferent ductules, and epididymis, which are similar to those caused by estrogen receptor antagonist treatment. Therefore, the estrogen receptor may have functional roles in male reproductive organs, implying that treatment with an estrogen receptor agonist can affect male fertility.