Influence of Cimicifuga racemosa on the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells. Bodinet C, Freudenstein J. Research and Development Department, Schaper & Brummer GmbH & Co. KG, Salzgitter, Germany. Hormone replacement therapy, which is a common menopausal treatment, is contraindicated in women with breast cancers due to concerns regarding the potential for breast cell proliferation. As such, there is a need for alternative methods for treating menopausal symptoms. To determine the influence of one such alternative, black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa [CR]), on estrogen-dependent mammary cancers, we conducted an in vitro investigation of the effect of an isopropanolic CR-extract on the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells. The experiments were performed using the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell test system, an established in vitro model for estrogen-dependent tumors. The influence of CR-extract on the proliferation of the MCF-7 cells was determined by measuring the incorporation of radioactively labeled thymidine. Under estrogen-deprived conditions, the CR-extract (10(-3)-10(-5) dilutions) significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation. Additionally, application of the CR-extract inhibited estrogen-induced proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the proliferation-inhibiting effect of tamoxifen was enhanced by the CR-extract. Such data that suggest a non-estrogenic, or estrogen-antagonistic effect of Cimicifuga racemosa on human breast cancer cells lead to the conclusion that Cimicifuga racemosa treatment may be a safe, natural remedy for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2002 Nov;76(1):1-10 =========================================================================================== Breast Cancer News is brought to you by BREAST CANCER OPTIONS, part of the Mid Hudson Options Project, a grassroots Breast Cancer Health Advocacy, Support and Activist Group. Yale Univ, 4/03 Growth Inhibition of Black Cohosh:Human BCa cells Abstract #R910 AACR, 2003 Dr. Susan Love on Black Cohosh (recent study) Effects of Black Cohosh on Chemotherapies Am Coll Gastroenterology, 68 Annual Meeting, 10/03 Int J Oncol, 11/03 Breast Cancer Research, 5/05 Int J Cancer April 2007 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.