RESEARCH - Black cohosh does not exert an estrogenic effect on the breast

[Guest guest]

Nutr Cancer. 2007;59(2):269-77.

Black cohosh does not exert an estrogenic effect on the breast.

Ruhlen RL, Haubner J, JK, Zhu W, Ehya H, Lamberson WR,

Rottinghaus GE, Sauter ER.

Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO.

Women's Health Initiative findings indicate that hormone replacement

therapy may increase breast cancer and cardiovascular disease risk.

Black cohosh extract (BCE) is a popular alternative that reduced

menopausal symptoms in several clinical trials. Preclinical studies

have addressed the estrogenic properties of BCE, with conflicting

results. The estrogenic influence of BCE on the breast has not been

investigated. Black cohosh is standardized to triterpenes, but the

activity and mechanism of action of these compounds are unknown. The

study goals were to determine 1) triterpene content of 2 commercially

available BCE preparations and 2) the effect of BCE on circulating and

breast-specific estrogenic markers. Two black cohosh preparations were

analyzed for triterpene content. Postmenopausal women took BCE for 12

wk followed by a 12-wk washout. One BCE preparation contained trace

amounts and another contained 2.5% triterpenes. Women taking BCE with

2.5% triterpenes experienced relief of menopausal symptoms, with

reversion toward baseline after washout. BCE had no effect on

estrogenic markers in serum and no effect on pS2 or cellular

morphology in nipple aspirate fluid. Triterpene content in

commercially available black cohosh preparations varies. BCE

standardized to 2.5% triterpenes relieved menopausal symptoms without

systemic or breast-specific estrogenic effects.

PMID: 18001221

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed & Cmd=ShowDetailView & TermToSear\

ch=18001221

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Not an MD

[Guest guest]

>

> Nutr Cancer. 2007;59(2):269-77.

>

>

> Black cohosh does not exert an estrogenic effect on the breast.

Thanks for posting these, .....I no longer see the doctor who told

me this, but I have half a mind to send her a copy LOL

[Guest guest]

,

I don't think the issue is settled yet. There have been several

studies which supported the opposite conclusion, so I'm sure your

former physician was just trying to be careful.

Not an MD

On Dec 18, 2007 8:02 PM, goodbead40 <goodbead40@...> wrote:

>

> >

> > Nutr Cancer. 2007;59(2):269-77.

> >

> >

> > Black cohosh does not exert an estrogenic effect on the breast.

>

> Thanks for posting these, .....I no longer see the doctor who told

> me this, but I have half a mind to send her a copy LOL

>