Influence of standardized extract of Epilobium angustifolium on estrogen receptor α and β expression in in vivo model

Abstract Objective: Evaluation of the influence of the standardized extract from the herb of Epilobium angustifolium on ERα and ERβ mRNA expression in rat ventral prostate tissue and free serum estradiol level. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into 6 groups with 10 animals. ERα and ERβ mRNA expression in rat ventral prostate tissue level was performed using real-time PCR method in Light Cycler system. Serum-free estradiol was evaluated using immunoenzymatic technique. Results: In our experimental model there was an increase of ERα mRNA level by 9% and decrease by 36% of ERβ mRNA level in ventral prostate tissue in rats administrated with testosterone and E. angustifolium extract, in comparison with testosterone alone administrated animals. Conclusions: E. angustifolium standardized extract influenced the expression of estrogen receptor α and β mRNAs in differential manner which may suggest its potentially therapeutic properties or causing of adverse effects in pharmacotherapy of estrogen-related disorders. More complex studies should be undertaken to evaluate safety and to improve the efficacy of using this herbal extract