Abstract
Background: Besides the basic role to flavor and color foods, several health benefits have been attributed to spices. The traditional Cameroonian food “Nkui” is prepared using several spices (Afrostyrax lepidophyllus Mildbr., Capsicum frutescens Linn., Fagara leprieurii Guill. et Perr., Fagara tessmannii Engl., Mondia whitei Hook. F. Skell., Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baill., Solanum gilo Raddi., Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub. and Xylopia parviflora A. Rich. Benthane) that are believed to have a positive impact on the female reproductive physiology. Aiming to determine the potential effect of this food on the female reproductive tract, we evaluated the estrogenic properties of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Nkui using a 3-day uterotrophic assay in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.
Methods: OVX female Wistar rats were randomly separated in several groups of five animals each and submitted to a 3-day uterotrophic assay (per os). At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed and uterus, vagina and mammary gland collected and fixed in 10 % formalin for histological analysis.
Results: These extracts increased the uterine wet weight, the uterine and vaginal epithelial heights, and the lumen and diameter of alveoli in the mammary glands. They also altered the estradiol-induced increase of uterine wet weight. The dichloromethane and methanol fractions of the ethanol extract exhibited estrogenic properties as well by increasing uterine and vaginal endpoints.
Conclusions: These results suggest that the spices of “Nkui” contain estrogenic phytoconstituents and this traditional food may be considered as functional.
Acknowledgments
The authors are very thankful to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for support.
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: None declared.
Employment or leadership: None declared.
Honorarium: None declared.
Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.
References
1. Goldwyn S, Lazinsky A, Wei H. Promotion of health by soy isoflavones: efficacy, benefit and safety concerns. Drug Metab Drug Interact 2000;17:261–89.10.1515/DMDI.2000.17.1-4.261Search in Google Scholar
2. Piscopo S. The Mediterranean diet as a nutrition education, health promotion and disease prevention tool. Public Health Nutr 2009;12:1648–55.10.1017/S1368980009990504Search in Google Scholar PubMed
3. Messina M. A brief historical overview of the past two decades of soy and isoflavone research. J Nutr 2010;140:1350S–54S.10.3945/jn.109.118315Search in Google Scholar PubMed
4. Urala N, Lähteenmäki L. Attitudes behind consumers’ willingness to use functional foods. Food Qual Prefer 2004;15:793–803.10.1016/j.foodqual.2004.02.008Search in Google Scholar
5. Verbeke W. Consumer acceptance of functional foods. Socio-demographic, cognitive and attitudinal determinants. Food Qual Prefer 2005;16:45–57.10.1016/j.foodqual.2004.01.001Search in Google Scholar
6. Susheela R. Handbook of spices, seasoning, and flavorings, 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2000.Search in Google Scholar
7. Tchiégang C, Mbougueng PD. Composition chimique des épices utilisées dans la préparation du Nahpoh et du Nkui de l’Ouest Cameroun. Tropicultura 2005;23:193–200.Search in Google Scholar
8. Johnson-Hanks J. Education, ethnicity, and reproductive practice in Cameroon population. Population 2003;58:153–79.10.3917/pope.302.0153Search in Google Scholar
9. Kuate D, Etoundi BC, Soukontoua YB, Ngondi JL, Oben JE. Comparative study of the antioxidant, free radical scavenging activity and human LDL oxidation inhibition of three extracts from seeds of a Cameroonian spice, Xylopia parviflora (A. Rich.) Benth. (Annonaceae). Int J Biomed Pharmaceut Sci 2011;5:18–30.Search in Google Scholar
10. OECD. Third meeting of the validation management group for the screening and testing of endocrine disrupters (mammalian effects). Joint meeting of the chemicals committee and the working party on chemical, pesticides and biotechnology. 2007; http://www.oecd.org.Search in Google Scholar
11. Ngono Ngane A, Lavault M, Séraphin D, Landreau A, Richomme P. Three 1-thio-β-d-glucopyranosides from seeds of Afrostyrax lepidophyllus Mildbr. Carbohydr Res 2006;341:2799–802.10.1016/j.carres.2006.09.021Search in Google Scholar PubMed
12. Meva’a Mbaze L, Poumale HM, Wansi JD, Lado JA, Khan NS, Iqbal MC, et al. In vitro biological activities of seed essential oils from the Cameroonian spices Afrostyrax lepidophyllus Mildbr. and Scorodophloeus zenkeri Harms rich in sulfur-containing compounds. Chem Biodivers 2014;11:161–9.10.1002/cbdv.201300237Search in Google Scholar PubMed
13. Chaurasia N, Henkler G. Capsicum. In: Blaschek W, Ebel S, Hackenthal E, Holzgrabe U, Keller K, Reichling J, Schulz V, editors. Hagers Enzyklopädie der Arzneistoffe und Drogen. Stuttgart: Wiss. Verlagsges. mbh, 2007:Vol. 3:741.Search in Google Scholar
14. De Lucca AJ, Bland JM, Vigo CB, Cushion M, Selitrennikoff CP, Peter J, et al. CAY-1, a fungicidal saponin from Capsicum sp. fruit. Phytochemistry 2002;40:131–7.10.1080/714031097Search in Google Scholar
15. De Lucca AJ, Boue S, Palmgren MS, Maskos K, Cleveland TE. Fungicidal properties of two saponins from Capsicum frutescens and the relationship of structure and fungicidal activity. Can J Microbiol 2006;52:336–42.10.1139/w05-137Search in Google Scholar PubMed
16. Tolan I, Ragoobirsingh D, Morrison EY. Isolation and purification of the hypoglycaemic principle present in Capsicum frutescens. Phytother Res 2004;18:95–6.10.1002/ptr.1328Search in Google Scholar
17. Howard LR, Talcott ST, Brenes CH, Villalon B. Changes in phytochemical and antioxidant activity of selected pepper cultivars (capsicum species) as influenced by maturity. J Agric Food Chem 2000;48:1713–20.10.1021/jf990916tSearch in Google Scholar
18. Adesina KS. The Nigerian Zanthoxylum; chemical and biological values. Afr J Trad CAM 2005;2:282–301.10.4314/ajtcam.v2i3.31128Search in Google Scholar
19. Tchinda AT, Fuendjiep V, Sajjad A, Matchawe C, Wafo P, Khan S, et al. Bioactive compounds from the fruits of Zanthoxylum leprieurii. Pharmacology Online 2009;1:406–15.Search in Google Scholar
20. Misra LN, Vyry Wouatsa NA, Kumar S, Venkatesh Kumar R, Tchoumbougnang F. Antibacterial, cytotoxic activities and chemical composition of fruits of two Cameroonian Zanthoxylum species. J Ethnopharmacol 2013;148:74–80.10.1016/j.jep.2013.03.069Search in Google Scholar
21. Meva’a Mbaze L, Poumale HM, Wansi JD, Lado JA, Khan NS, Iqbal MC, et al. α-Glucosidase inhibitory pentacyclic triterpenes from the stem bark of Fagara tessmannii (Rutaceae). Phytochemistry 2007;68:591–5.10.1016/j.phytochem.2006.12.015Search in Google Scholar
22. Patnam R, Kadali SS, Koumaglo KH, Roy R. A chlorinated coumarinolignan from the African medicinal plant Mondia whitei. Phytochemistry 2005;66:683–6.10.1016/j.phytochem.2004.11.012Search in Google Scholar
23. Neergaard JS, Rasmussen HB, Stafford GI, Van Staden J, Jager AK. Serotonin transporter affinity of (-)-loliolide, a monoterpene lactone from Mondia whitei. S Afr J Bot 2010;76:593–6.10.1016/j.sajb.2010.02.091Search in Google Scholar
24. Kubo I, Kinst-Hori I. 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde: a potent tyrosinase inhibitor from African medicinal plants. Planta Med 1999;65:19–22.10.1055/s-1999-13955Search in Google Scholar
25. El Migirab S, Berger Y, Jadot J. Isothiocyanates, thiourées et thiocarbamates isolés de Pentadiplandra brazzeana. Phytochemistry 1977;16:1719–21.10.1016/0031-9422(71)85078-1Search in Google Scholar
26. De Nicola GR, Nyegue M, Montaut S, Iori R, Menut C, Tatibouët A, et al. Profile and quantification of glucosinolates in Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baillon. Phytochemistry 2012;51–6.10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.09.006Search in Google Scholar PubMed
27. Ming D, Hellekant G. Brazzein, a new high-potency thermostable sweet protein from Pentadiplandra brazzeana B. FEBS Lett 1994;355:106–8.10.1016/0014-5793(94)01184-2Search in Google Scholar
28. Van der Wel H, Larson G, Hladik A, Hellekant G, Glaser D. Isolation and characterization of pentadin, the sweet principle of Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baillon. Oxford J Med Health Sci Math Chem Senses 1988;14:75–9.Search in Google Scholar
29. Chioma A, Obiora A, Chukwuemeka U. Does the African garden egg offer protection against experimentally induced ulcers?. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2011;4:163–6.10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60061-8Search in Google Scholar
30. Nwanna EE, Ibukun EO, Oboh G, Ademosun AO, Boligon AA, Athayde M. HPLC-DAD analysis and in vitro property of polyphenols extracts from (Solanum aethiopium) fruits on α-amylase, α-glucosidase and angiotensin-1-converting enzyme activities. IJBS 2014;10:272–81.Search in Google Scholar
31. Plazas M, Prohens J, Cuñat AN, Vilanova S, Gramazio P, Herraiz FJ, et al. Reducing capacity, chlorogenic acid content and biological activity in a collection of Scarlet (Solanum aethiopicum) and Gboma (S. macrocarpon) eggplants. IJMS 2014;5:17221–41.10.3390/ijms151017221Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
32. Essien EE, Adesina SK, Reisch J. Quantitative analysis of scopoletin in the fruit of Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub. (Mimosaceae). Sci Pharm 1983;51:397–402.Search in Google Scholar
33. Aboaba SA, Ogunwande IA, Walker TM, Setzer WN, Oladosu IA, Ekundayo O. Essential oil composition, antibacterial activity and toxicity of the leaves of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. & Thonn.) Taubert from Nigeria. Nat Prod Commun 2009;4:287–90.10.1177/1934578X0900400225Search in Google Scholar
34. Note OP, Mitaine-Offer AC, Miyamoto T, Paululat T, Pegnyemb DE, Lacaille-Dubois M-A. Tetrapterosides A and B, two new oleanane-type saponins from Tetrapleura tetraptera. Magn Reson Chem 2009;47:277–82.10.1002/mrc.2381Search in Google Scholar PubMed
35. Udourioh GA, Etokudoh MF. Essential oils and fatty acids composition of dry fruits of Tetrapleura tetraptera. J Appl Sci Environ Manag 2014;18:419–24.Search in Google Scholar
36. Nishiyama Y, Moriyasu M, Ichimaru M, Iwasa K, Kato A, Mathenge SG, et al. Secondary and tertiary isoquinoline alkaloids from Xylopia parviflora. Phytochemistry 2006;67:2671–5.10.1016/j.phytochem.2006.07.011Search in Google Scholar PubMed
37. Nishiyama Y, Moriyasu M, Ichimaru M, Iwasa K, Kato A, Mathenge SG, et al. Quaternary isoquinoline alkaloids from Xylopia parviflora. Phytochemistry 2004;65:939–44.10.1016/j.phytochem.2003.12.010Search in Google Scholar PubMed
38. Lamaty G, Menut C, Bessière JM, Amvam Zollo PH. The essential oil of Xylopia parviflora (A. Rich) Benth. from Cameroon. J Essent Oil Res 1989;1:247–8.10.1080/10412905.1989.9697790Search in Google Scholar
39. U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services. Guidance for industry: Estimating the maximum safe starting dose in initial clinical trials for therapeutics in adult healthy volunteers. Rockville, USA: Off. of New Drugs in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the FDA. July 2005. From: http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/index.htm. Accessed March 5, 2015.Search in Google Scholar
40. Jurd L, Horowitz R, Spectral properties of flavonoid compounds. New York: Pergamon Press, 1962.Search in Google Scholar
41. Mabry TJ, Markham KR, Thomas MB, The systematic identification of flavonoids. New York: Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1970.10.1007/978-3-642-88458-0Search in Google Scholar
42. Hewitt SC, Deroo BJ, Hansen K, Collins J, Grissom S, Afshari CA, et al. Estrogen receptor-dependent genomic responses in the uterus mirror the biphasic physiological response to estrogen. Mol Endocrinol 2003;17:2070–83.10.1210/me.2003-0146Search in Google Scholar PubMed
43. Westwood FR. The female rat reproductive cycle: a practical histological guide to staging. Toxicol Pathol 2008;36:375–84.10.1177/0192623308315665Search in Google Scholar PubMed
44. Hewitt SC, Couse JF, Korach KS. Estrogen receptor transcription and transactivation: estrogen receptor knockout mice – what their phenotypes reveal about mechanisms of estrogen action. Breast Cancer Res 2000;2:345–52.10.1186/bcr79Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
45. Santell RC, Chang YC, Nair MG, Helferich WG. Dietary genistein exerts estrogenic effects upon the uterus, mammary gland and the hypothalamic/pituitary axis in rats. J Nutr 1997;127:263–9.10.1093/jn/127.2.263Search in Google Scholar PubMed
46. Njamen D, Djiogue S, Zingue S, Mvondo MA, Nkeh-Chungag BN. In vivo and in vitro estrogenic activity of extracts from Erythrina poeppigiana (Fabaceae). J Complement Integr Med 2013;10:63–73.10.1515/jcim-2013-0018Search in Google Scholar PubMed
47. Zingue S, Njamen D, Tchoumtchoua J, Halabalaki M, Simpson E, Clyne C, et al. Effects of Millettia macrophylla (Fabaceae) extracts on estrogen target organs of female Wistar rat. J Pharmacol Sci 2013;123:120–31.10.1254/jphs.13094FPSearch in Google Scholar
48. Magee JP, Rowland IR. Phyto-estrogen, their mechanism of action: current evidence for a role in breast and prostate cancer. Br J Nutr 2004;91:513–31.10.1079/BJN20031075Search in Google Scholar PubMed
49. Andres S, Abraham K, Appel KE, Lampen A. Risks and benefits of dietary isoflavones for cancer. Crit Rev Toxicol 2011;41:463–506.10.3109/10408444.2010.541900Search in Google Scholar PubMed
50. Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Bourguignon JP, Giudice LC, Hauser R, Prins GS, Soto AM, et al. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: an Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocr Rev 2009;30:293–342.10.1210/er.2009-0002Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
Supplemental Material
The online version of this article (DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2015-0096) offers supplementary material, available to authorized users.
©2016 by De Gruyter
