Estrogenicity of outer scales of onion and garlic on reproductive functions of mice

الملخص EN

Objectives : This is the first study to indicate that outer scales of onion and garlic might have estrogen-like activities.

Their estrogenic properties were tested in view of the resemblance of the structure of the active substance to those of estradiol to be a phytoestrogen, binding to the estrogen receptor.

Methods : The study was performed at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the period of 2008-2010.

This work compared the estrogenic effects induced by estradiol and the plant extract in vivo and in vitro models of immature mice.

To unravel the mechanism of estrogenic properties, these effects would be reversed or abolished by pretreatment with an estrogen blocker suggesting that they are acting through estrogen receptors.

Uterine wet weight / body weight ratios were determined.

Uterotrophic bioassay (increased epithelial cell height, and gland development) and immunohistochemical assay for the estrogen receptor and proliferative marker Ki67 and uterine contractility were investigated.

Results : Onion extract has the capacity to induce proliferative and stimulatory changes in estrogen target tissues that are analogous to those induced by estrogens.

The ensuing morphologic changes include proliferation of luminal and glandular epithelium of the uteri and an increase in the wet weight, and epithelial cell height.

This estrogenic activity is attributed to quercetin and daidzein.

The frequency and amplitude of myometrial contractility were also significantly increased in the group treated by onion extract.

The in vitro studies on myometrial contractility confirmed the results of the in vivo studies.

Conclusion : Our results support the possible estrogenic properties of the onion extract compounds.

In the future, we plan to carry out pre-clinical and clinical trials for adopting pharmaceutical dosage forms with maximum efficacy and minimum side effects that can be prescribed to patients.