In vitro estrogenic activity of Asplenium trichomanes L. extracts and isolated compounds

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAsplenium trichomanes was used as an expectorant, anti-cough remedy, laxative, emmenagogue, abortifacient and for irregular menses.Aim of the studyTo investigate the in vitro estrogenic activity of Asplenium trichomanes extracts and isolated compounds and their ability to activate ERα and ERβ.Materials and methodsLeaves infusion (IF), decoction (DC) and methanol extract (ME) were prepared. MCF7/EREluc cell line which expresses endogenous ERα, and SK-NBE cells transiently transfected with the estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) were used for the estrogenic activity assays. Phytochemical investigations were performed (CC, HPLC, etc.) and structure of isolated compounds were achieved on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques and HR-MS spectrometry.ResultsIF and ME were active in our MCF7 model; selectivity for the ERβ receptor was observed in the SK-NBE test. Two new phenol derivatives, 4-vinyl-phenol-1-O-[α-l-rhamno(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyde] (1) and kaempferol-3-O-α-[2′acetyl]-arabinofuranosyl-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2) were isolated with six known compounds (3–8). Compounds 2–4, 7 and 8 showed selectivity for the activation of the ERβ receptor although with a moderate activity compared with 17-β-estradiol.ConclusionFurther investigations about the estrogenic effects of this plant are needed but our data can, at least in part, explain some of its traditional use as emmeagogue.