Anti-estrogenic compounds from Apium graveolens L. extract

Abstract

Six compounds, including junipediol A-8-O-β-D-glucoside (1), isofraxidin-β-D-glucoside (2), icariside D₂ (3), apiin (4), chrysoeriol 7-O-β-D-apiosylglucoside (5) and 11,21-dioxo-3α,15β,24-trihydroxyurs-12-ene-24-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), isolated from the crude methanol extract of Apium graveolens L. were evaluated for their anti-estrogenic activity using the estrogen-responsive human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7). Junipediol A-8-O-β-D-glucoside and 11,21-dioxo-3α,15β,24-trihydroxyurs-12-ene-24-O-β-D-glucopyranoside showed the most potent inhibitory effect on estrogen-enhanced cell proliferation, with 83% and 78% inhibition, respectively, at 100 mM. These results indicated that the lactation-promoting property of A. graveolens might be related to the inhibitory effect of these compounds on excess estrogen in women who have insufficient milk for breastfeeding.