A monoterpene, unique component of thyme honeys, induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells via inhibition of NF-κB activity and IL-6 secretion.

We have previously demonstrated that Greek thyme honey inhibits significantly the cell viability of human prostate cancer cells. Herein, 15 thyme honey samples from several regions of Greece were submitted to phytochemical analysis for the isolation, identification and determination (through modern spectral means) of the unique thyme honey monoterpene, the compound trihydroxy ketone E-4-(1,2,4-trihydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexyl)-but-3-en-2-one. We investigated the anti-growth and apoptotic effects of the trihydroxy ketone on PC-3 human androgen independent prostate cancer cells using MTT assay and Annexin V-FITC respectively.

Fatty acids derived from royal jelly are modulators of estrogen receptor functions.

Royal jelly (RJ) excreted by honeybees and used as a nutritional and medicinal agent has estrogen-like effects, yet the compounds mediating these effects remain unidentified. The possible effects of three RJ fatty acids (FAs) (10-hydroxy-2-decenoic-10H2DA, 3,10-dihydroxydecanoic-3,10DDA, sebacic acid-SA) on estrogen signaling was investigated in various cellular systems. In MCF-7 cells, FAs, in absence of estradiol (E(2)), modulated the estrogen receptor (ER) recruitment to the pS2 promoter and pS2 mRNA levels via only ERβ but not ERα, while in presence of E(2) FAs modulated both ERβ and ERα.

Acteoside and martynoside exhibit estrogenic/antiestrogenic properties.

Acteoside and martynoside are plant phenylpropanoid glycosides exhibiting anticancer, cytotoxic and antimetastatic activities. We investigated their potential to activate estrogen receptor isoforms ERalpha and ERbeta in HeLa cells transfected with an estrogen response element (ERE)-driven luciferase (Luc) reporter gene and an ERalpha or ERbeta expression vector. Their estrogenic/antiestrogenic effects were also assessed in breast cancer cells (MCF7), endometrial cancer cells (Ishikawa) and osteoblasts (KS483), by measuring IGFBP3 levels, cell viability and number of mineralized nodules, respectively, seeking for a natural selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM).

Evaluation of estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity of ellagic acid via the estrogen receptor subtypes ERalpha and ERbeta.

Ellagic acid is a plant-derived polyphenol, possessing antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antiatherogenic properties. Whether this compound has estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity, however, remains largely unknown. To answer this question, we first investigated the ability of ellagic acid to influence the activity of the estrogen receptor subtypes ERalpha and ERbeta in HeLa cells.