Estrogenic Effect of Various Plant Extracts on Eel (<i>Anguilla japonica</i>) Hepatocytes
Estrogen plays some important roles in many physiological processes in animals. This hormone is used as a type of medication for humans and animals, including fish, but is associated with serious side effects and environmental persistence, which has led to a growing interest in phytoestrogens as an...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Jeong Hee Yoon Ji Eun Ha Joon Yeong Kwon |
| author_facet | Jeong Hee Yoon Ji Eun Ha Joon Yeong Kwon |
| author_sort | Jeong Hee Yoon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Estrogen plays some important roles in many physiological processes in animals. This hormone is used as a type of medication for humans and animals, including fish, but is associated with serious side effects and environmental persistence, which has led to a growing interest in phytoestrogens as an alternative. Phytoestrogens are compounds derived from plants that are structurally similar to estrogen and may exhibit similar behavior in the body. To date, no studies have investigated the activity of phytoestrogens in relation to the maturation of eels. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ten different plant extracts on vitellogenin (<i>vtg</i>) and estrogen receptor (<i>esr1</i>, <i>esr2</i>) gene expression in eel hepatocytes. As a result, Schisandra and Astragalus extracts induced higher levels of <i>vtg</i> mRNA expression compared to the other extracts. However, increased <i>esr</i> mRNA expression was observed only in the Schisandra and soybean extract-treated groups. The phytoestrogens known to be present in Schisandra and Astragalus were analyzed using HPLC. Schizandrin, gomisin A, and gomisin N were detected in Schisandra extract, and calycosin and formononetin were detected in Astragalus extract. We then examined whether these phytoestrogens could induce <i>vtg</i> mRNA expression in eel hepatocytes. As a result, gomisin N and formononetin significantly induced <i>vtg</i> mRNA expression. In conclusion, among the 10 plant extracts treated in this study, Schisandra and Astragalus extracts induced estrogenic activity in eel hepatocytes. These extracts were found to contain phytoestrogens, with gomisin N and formononetin identified as the primary active components responsible for the observed estrogenic activity in eel hepatocytes. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2dda26dd8a5b47b2a753e021f70a97552025-08-20T02:36:27ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013013278110.3390/molecules30132781Estrogenic Effect of Various Plant Extracts on Eel (<i>Anguilla japonica</i>) HepatocytesJeong Hee Yoon0Ji Eun Ha1Joon Yeong Kwon2Department of Aquatic Life and Medical Science, Sunmoon University, Asan 31460, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Aquatic Life and Medical Science, Sunmoon University, Asan 31460, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Aquatic Life and Medical Science, Sunmoon University, Asan 31460, Republic of KoreaEstrogen plays some important roles in many physiological processes in animals. This hormone is used as a type of medication for humans and animals, including fish, but is associated with serious side effects and environmental persistence, which has led to a growing interest in phytoestrogens as an alternative. Phytoestrogens are compounds derived from plants that are structurally similar to estrogen and may exhibit similar behavior in the body. To date, no studies have investigated the activity of phytoestrogens in relation to the maturation of eels. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ten different plant extracts on vitellogenin (<i>vtg</i>) and estrogen receptor (<i>esr1</i>, <i>esr2</i>) gene expression in eel hepatocytes. As a result, Schisandra and Astragalus extracts induced higher levels of <i>vtg</i> mRNA expression compared to the other extracts. However, increased <i>esr</i> mRNA expression was observed only in the Schisandra and soybean extract-treated groups. The phytoestrogens known to be present in Schisandra and Astragalus were analyzed using HPLC. Schizandrin, gomisin A, and gomisin N were detected in Schisandra extract, and calycosin and formononetin were detected in Astragalus extract. We then examined whether these phytoestrogens could induce <i>vtg</i> mRNA expression in eel hepatocytes. As a result, gomisin N and formononetin significantly induced <i>vtg</i> mRNA expression. In conclusion, among the 10 plant extracts treated in this study, Schisandra and Astragalus extracts induced estrogenic activity in eel hepatocytes. These extracts were found to contain phytoestrogens, with gomisin N and formononetin identified as the primary active components responsible for the observed estrogenic activity in eel hepatocytes.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2781phytoestrogens<i>Anguilla japonica</i>hepatocytesvitellogenin |
| spellingShingle | Jeong Hee Yoon Ji Eun Ha Joon Yeong Kwon Estrogenic Effect of Various Plant Extracts on Eel (<i>Anguilla japonica</i>) Hepatocytes Molecules phytoestrogens <i>Anguilla japonica</i> hepatocytes vitellogenin |
| title | Estrogenic Effect of Various Plant Extracts on Eel (<i>Anguilla japonica</i>) Hepatocytes |
| title_full | Estrogenic Effect of Various Plant Extracts on Eel (<i>Anguilla japonica</i>) Hepatocytes |
| title_fullStr | Estrogenic Effect of Various Plant Extracts on Eel (<i>Anguilla japonica</i>) Hepatocytes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estrogenic Effect of Various Plant Extracts on Eel (<i>Anguilla japonica</i>) Hepatocytes |
| title_short | Estrogenic Effect of Various Plant Extracts on Eel (<i>Anguilla japonica</i>) Hepatocytes |
| title_sort | estrogenic effect of various plant extracts on eel i anguilla japonica i hepatocytes |
| topic | phytoestrogens <i>Anguilla japonica</i> hepatocytes vitellogenin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2781 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeongheeyoon estrogeniceffectofvariousplantextractsoneelianguillajaponicaihepatocytes AT jieunha estrogeniceffectofvariousplantextractsoneelianguillajaponicaihepatocytes AT joonyeongkwon estrogeniceffectofvariousplantextractsoneelianguillajaponicaihepatocytes |