Fukinolic acid derivatives and triterpene glycosides from black cohosh inhibit CYP isozymes, but are not cytotoxic to Hep-G2 cells in vitro.

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L. [syn. Cimifuga racemosa L.

Analysis of polyphenolic compounds and radical scavenging activity of four American Actaea species.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method with diode array detection has been developed for analysis of the major polyphenols in the roots and rhizomes of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), an important botanical dietary supplement for women's health, and three closely related American Actaea species, A. rubra, A. pachypoda and A.

Actein and a fraction of black cohosh potentiate antiproliferative effects of chemotherapy agents on human breast cancer cells.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the triterpene glycosides present in black cohosh enhance the growth inhibitory effects of specific breast cancer chemotherapy agents. Black cohosh roots and rhizomes were extracted with methanol (MeOH)/water (H (2)O) and fractionated by solvent-solvent partitioning to yield three fractions: hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and water. The EtOAc fraction is enriched in triterpene glycosides, including the compound actein.

Evaluation of the botanical authenticity and phytochemical profile of black cohosh products by high-performance liquid chromatography with selected ion monitoring liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L., syn. Cimicifuga racemosa L.

Polyphenolic constituents of Actaea racemosa.

A new lignan, actaealactone (1), and a new phenylpropanoid ester derivative, cimicifugic acid G (2), together with 15 known polyphenols, protocatechuic acid, protocatechualdehyde, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, methyl caffeate, ferulic acid, ferulate-1-methyl ester, isoferulic acid, 1-isoferuloyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside, fukinolic acid, and cimicifugic acids A, B, and D-F, were isolated from an extract of the rhizomes and roots of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of NMR spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed antioxidant activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical assay with IC(50) values of 26 and 37 microM, respectively.

Growth inhibitory activity of extracts and purified components of black cohosh on human breast cancer cells.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether black cohosh contains constituents that inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells, and therefore might eventually be useful in the prevention or treatment of breast cancer. Black cohosh rhizomes were extracted with methanol/water and fractionated by solvent-solvent partitioning to yield three fractions: hexane, ethyl acetate and water. The ethyl acetate fraction displayed the highest potency in two cell-based assays, growth inhibition and cell cycle analysis.