Phytoestrogens: recent developments

Phytoestrogens are polyphenolic non-steroidal plant compounds with estrogen-like biological activity. Based on their chemical structure, phytoestrogens can be classified into four main groups, i. e., isoflavonoids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans. For each group, the chemistry, dietary sources and biotransformation of the most interesting compounds will be discussed. Since phytoestrogens are structurally very similar to the estrogen 17beta-estradiol, they may exhibit selective estrogen receptor modulating activities. Therefore, special attention will be given to the hormonal effects of various isoflavonoids, including genistein, daidzein, coumestrol and equol, several prenylated flavonoids, especially 8-prenylnaringenin, and the stilbene resveratrol. Furthermore, their non-hormonal effects will be discussed briefly. Finally, the latest developments on the potential protective properties of phytoestrogens and phytoestrogen-containing foods against hormone-dependent breast and prostate cancers and cardiovascular diseases, and as estrogen replacement therapy for postmenopausal women will be discussed.     

ATENOLOL DEPRESSES POST-ISCHAEMIC RECOVERY IN THE ISOLATED RAT HEART

Metabolic events during ischaemia are probably important in determining post-ischaemic myocardial recovery. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the beta-blocker atenolol and the high energy demand in an ischaemia-reperfusion model free of neurohormonal and vascular factors. We exposed Langendorff-perfused isolated rat hearts to low-flow ischaemia (30 min) and reflow (20 min). Three groups of hearts were used: control hearts (n =11), hearts that were perfused with 2.5 micrograms l-1atenolol (n =9), and hearts electrically paced during ischaemia to distinguish the effect of heart rate from that of the drug (n =9). The hearts were freeze-clamped at the end of reflow to determine high-energy phosphates and their metabolites. During ischaemia, the pressure-rate product was 2.3+/-0.2, 5.2+/-1.1, and 3.3+/-0.3 mmHg 10(3)min in the control, atenolol and paced hearts, respectively. In addition, the ATP turnover rate, calculated from venous (lactate), oxygen uptake and flow, was higher in atenolol (11.2+/-1.7 micromol min-1) and paced (8.1+/-0.8 micromol min-1) hearts than in control (6.2+/-0.8 micromol min-1). At the end of reflow, the pressurexrate product recovered 75.1+/-6.4% of baseline in control vs 54.1+/-9.1 and 48.8+/-4.4% in atenolol and paced hearts (P<0.05). In addition, the tissue content of ATP was higher in the control hearts (15.8+/-1. 0 micromol g(dw)(-1)) than in atenolol (10.5+/-2.6 micromol g(dw)(-1)) and paced (10.9+/-1.3 micromol g(dw)(-1)) hearts. Thus, by suppressing the protective effects of down-regulation, both atenolol and pacing apparently depress myocardial recovery in this model.     

Proliferative effects of flavan-3-ols and propelargonidins from rhizomes of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Drynaria fortunei</Emphasis> on MCF-7 and osteoblastic cells

The proliferative effects of thirty Oriental medicinal herbs on MCF-7 (estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cell line) and ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells were determined using the MTT assay. Methanol extracts from several herbs was found to show proliferative activity on the above two cell lines in the range of 5 to 100 microg/mL. Among these active herbs, the methanol extract from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei showed the most potent proliferative activity, and the cell proliferations were significantly increase by 136 and 158% in the MCF-7 and ROS 17/2.8 cells, respectively, when treated with 100 microg/mL. Through a bioassay-guided separation, eight flavonoids, including four new flavan-3-ols and two propelargonidins, together with the known (-)-epiafzelechin and naringin, were isolated. Their chemical structures were characterized as (-)-epiafzelechin (1), (-)-epiafzelechin-3-O-beta-D-allopyranoside (2), (-)-epiafzelechin-3-O-(6"-O-acetyl)-beta-D-allopyranoside (3), 4beta-carboxymethyl-(-)-epiafzelechin methyl ester (4), 4beta-carboxymethyl-(-)-epiafzelechin sodium salt (5), naringin (6), (-)-epiafzelechin-(4beta-->8)-4beta-carboxymethylepiafzelechin methyl ester (7) and (-)epiafzelechin-(4beta-->8, 2beta-->O-->7)-epiafzelechin-(4beta-->8)-epiafzelechin (8) by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Most of these flavonoids, in the range of 10(-15) to approximately 10(-6) M, accelerated the proliferation of MCF-7 cell, with compounds 7 and 8, in the range of 10(-15) to approximately 10(-12) M, showing especially potent proliferation effects. Meanwhile, seven flavonoids, with the exception of compound 4, stimulated the proliferation of ROS 17/2.8 cells in the range of 10(-15) to approximately 10(-6) M, with compounds 5-8 especially accelerating the proliferation, in dose-dependent manners (10(-15) to approximately 10(-9) M), and their proliferative effect was much stronger than that of E2 and genistein. These results suggest that propelargonidin dimers and trimers isolated from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei may be useful as potential phytoestrogens, which play important physiological roles in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.     

A dietary supplement for female sexual dysfunction, Avlimil, stimulates the growth of estrogen-dependent breast tumors (MCF-7) implanted in ovariectomized athymic nude mice.

Avlimil, a dietary supplement advertised to ameliorate female sexual dysfunction, is a mixture of eleven herbal components, and some herbal constituents of Avlimil (including black cohosh, licorice, red raspberry, red clover and kudzu) contain phenolic compounds, which are suggested to have estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, or androgenic potential for relieving menopausal symptoms. We hypothesize that Avlimil could modulate the growth of estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells in vitro and in vivo. A dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) extract of Avlimil (0.001-100 microg Avlimil powder equivalents/mL media) was tested for its estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects on the growth of MCF-7 cells in vitro. We observed that the DMSO extract of Avlimil at low concentrations (0.1-50 microg/mL media) dose-dependently increased MCF-7 cell proliferation in vitro, and Avlimil DMSO extract at 100 microg/mL inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells in vitro. Avlimil and some constituents (black cohosh and licorice roots) of Avlimil were fractionated by using sequential solvent extraction (hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) and the activities of the fractions were monitored by effects on the growth of MCF-7 cells. Depending on dosage (0.1-100 microg/mL media) both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of the extracts on the growth of MCF-7 cells were observed. The effect of dietary Avlimil at dosages approximating human intake was evaluated using ovariectomized mice implanted with MCF-7 cells. Animals were fed diets containing 500 ppm or 1000 ppm Avlimil for 16 weeks. Dietary Avlimil at 500 ppm stimulated MCF-7 tumors, but Avlimil at 1000 ppm had no apparent effect on the growth of MCF-7 tumors. The observation of stimulated tumor growth in the absence of uterine wet weight gains suggest that estrogenic/anti-estrogenic effects of Avlimil we observed may be dosage- and target tissue-specific and that Avlimil may not be safe for women with estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The different biological effects of fractionated Avlimil components and the different concentration dependencies warrant further compound identification and dose-response studies, especially at recommended intake levels that could have estrogenic effects in women.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of phenyl substituted 1H-1,2,4-triazoles as non-steroidal inhibitors of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2

A series of disubstituted-1H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives was synthesized with the aim of developing new non-steroidal inhibitors of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17βHSD2) - a novel and attractive target for the treatment of osteoporosis. 17βHSD2 catalyzes the oxidation of the highly active estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) and androgen testosterone (T) into the weak estrone and androstenedione, respectively. Inhibition of this enzyme will locally in the bone lead to an increase in E2 and T levels, two key players in the maintenance of the balance between bone resorption and bone formation. In this study, a new class of 17βHSD2 inhibitors with a 1H-1,2,4-triazole scaffold was identified; the three best compounds 8b, 8f, and 13a showed moderate 17βHSD2 inhibitory activity and a good selectivity toward 17βHSD1. They could be a useful tool to map the unexplored enzyme active site.     

Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial evaluation of novel imidazo[2',1':5,1]-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-c]-quinazoline derivatives of 5-thioxo-1, 2, 4-triazole, 4-oxothiazolidine, and their open-chain counterparts

Two novel series of imidazo[2', 1':5, 1]-1, 2, 4-triazolo[4, 3-c]quinazolines bearing 5-thioxo-1, 2, 4-triazoles, 6a-f, and 4-oxothiazolidines, 7a-f, were synthesized from corresponding thiosemicarbazide derivatives, 5a-f. The stepwise methodology applied to the preparation of compounds 5a-f was initiated with reaction of the parent 3-amino-1, 2, 4-triazolo[4, 3-c]quinazolines, 2, with ethyl 2-chloroacetoacetate resulting in annelation of the imidazole ring to give esters, 3a-c. However, hydrazinolysis of these ester derivatives gave the corresponding acid hydrazides, 4a-c, which on reaction with the appropriate alkyl isothiocyanate yielded compounds 5a-f. In turn, compounds 5, were cyclized with potassium hydroxide or with ethyl bromoacetate to give the corresponding thioxotriazoles 6 and oxothiazolidines 7, respectively. All synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Some test compounds were found to possess potent antibacterial activities. Compound, 7f, exhibited much higher potency than the reference standard ciprofloxacin, against both types of bacteria, particularly, Gram-positive organisms.     

A new flavone glycoside: 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxy flavone-7-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside from the stem of Acacia catechu Willd

A new bio-active flavone glycoside, m.p. C 28 H 32 O 17 , mp 283-284°C, M + 640 [EIMS] was isolated from the ethylacetate soluble fraction of the ethanolic extract of the stems of Acacia catechu and its structure was characterised as 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxy flavone-7- O - β- d -galactopyranosyl-(1 →4)- O - β- d -glucopyranoside by various chemical degradations and spectral analyses.     

Crucial Role of 3-Bromoethyl in Removing the Estrogenic Activity of 17β-HSD1 Inhibitor 16β-(m-Carbamoylbenzyl)estradiol

17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1) represents a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment. To reduce the undesirable estrogenic activity of potent 17β-HSD1 inhibitor 16β-(m-carbamoylbenzyl)estradiol (1) (IC(50) = 27 nM), a series of analogues with a small functionalized side chain at position 3 were synthesized and tested. The 3-(2-bromoethyl)-16β-(m-carbamoylbenzyl)-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17β-ol (5) was found to be a potent inhibitor (IC(50) = 68 nM) for the transformation of estrone (E1) into estradiol (E2) and, most importantly, did not stimulate the proliferation of estrogen-sensitive MCF-7 cells, suggesting no estrogenic activity. From these results, the crucial role of a bromoalkyl side chain at carbon 3 was identified for the first time. Thus, this new inhibitor represents a good candidate with an interesting profile suitable for further studies including pharmacokinetic and in vivo studies.     

Steroid 9alpha-hydroxylation during testosterone degradation by resting rhodococcus equi cells

The conversion pathway of testosterone to androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and 9alpha-hydroxy androstane metabolites, 9alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and 9alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one was proposed for the ring degradation in steroids by a minimal liquid medium (NMMP)-dispersed Rhodococcus equi ATCC 14887. The microorganism produced 9alpha-hydroxy androstane metabolites from testosterone at high conversion ratio without the addition of ring degradation inhibitory agents. Several NMMP-based media showed the similar effect on the microbial transformation, in which the respective molar yields of 9alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and 9alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one were approx. 3 to 47% and approx. 3 to 11%, respectively, whereas nutrient broth, a rich medium, basically showed no accumulation. On the basis of this evidence, magnesium sulfate and casamino acids among the components of NMMP were found to compromise the determinant for the production of the 9alpha-hydroxy androstane metabolites without appreciable decomposition of the steroid ring system.     

Effects of 4-nonylphenol and 17alpha-ethynylestradiol exposure in the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata: Vitellogenin induction and gonadal development

Adult Saccostrea glomerata were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of 4-nonylphenol (1microg/L and 100microg/L) and 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (5ng/L and 50ng/L) in seawater over 8 weeks. Exposures were performed to assess effects on vitellogenin induction and gonadal development during reproductive conditioning. Chronic direct estrogenicity within gonadal tissue was assessed via an estrogen receptor-mediated, chemical-activated luciferase reporter gene-expression assay (ER-CALUX). Estradiol equivalents (EEQ) were greatest in the 100microg/L 4-nonylphenol exposure (28.7+/-2.3ng/g tissue EEQ) while 17alpha-ethynylestradiol at concentrations of 50ng/L were 2.2+/-1.5ng/g tissue EEQ. Results suggest 4-nonylphenol may be accumulated in tissue and is partly resistant to biotransformation; maintaining its potential for chronic estrogenic action, while 17alpha-ethynylestradiol, although exhibiting greater estrogenic potency on biological endpoints possibly exerts its estrogenic action before being rapidly metabolised and/or excreted. A novel methodology was developed to assess vitellogenin using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Exposure to both 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (50ng/L) and 4-nonylphenol (100microg/L) produced increases in vitellogenin for females, whereas males exhibited increases in vitellogenin when exposed to 50ng/L 17alpha-ethynylestradiol only. Females exhibited greater vitellogenin responses than males at 50ng/L 17alpha-ethynylestradiol only. Histological examination of gonads revealed a number of individuals exhibiting intersex (ovotestis) in 50ng/L 17alpha-ethynylestradiol exposures. Male individuals in 1microg/L and 100microg/L 4-nonylphenol exposures and 5ng/L 17alpha-ethynylestradiol were at earlier stages of spermatogenic development than corresponding controls.     

Estrogenic effects of 17 beta-aminoestrogens assessed in uteri of rats and mice

Administration of exogenous estrogens has been associated with an increase of thromboembolic events. The 17β-aminoestrogens produce anticoagulant effects contrasting with the procoagulant effects of the natural occurring estradiol in rodents. This work compares the estrogenic effects induced by 17β-aminoestrogens prolame, butolame, pentolame, and estradiol in vivo models. Dose–response curves were performed using immature CD1 mice and Wistar rats. The animals were injected with estradiol or 17β-aminoestrogens (0.01 to 1000 μg/kg), or vehicle. The uterine wet and dry weights were determined. The 17β-aminoestrogens increased uterine weight in a dose-dependent manner. The uterotrophic effect produced by estradiol induced lower ED₅₀ (6.5 and 4 μg/kg) and higher E_max values (+523–350%) in mice as compared with those from the rat, indicating more susceptibility of the mice model. The 17β-aminoestrogens are partial estrogenic agonists with a relative uterotrophic effect of estradiol (100%) from 9–86%. Only the ED₅₀ values of 17β-aminoestrogens in CD1 mice showed a direct correlation to the length of the amine group substitution in C-17 since their efficacy and potency were in the order: prolame>butolame>pentolame.     

Evaluation of free radical scavenging and antityrosinase activities of standardized longan fruit extract.

The protective effects of fruits and vegetables against chronic diseases have been attributed to the antioxidant properties of some secondary metabolites present in these foods. Plant polyphenols have been reported to exhibit bioactive properties, and in particular antioxidant activities. Longan seeds are found to contain high levels of some beneficial polyphenolic compounds such as corilagin, gallic acid and ellagic acid. The present study examined the free radical scavenging activity of longan seed extract by using three different assay methods. Longan extracts contained corilagin ranging from zero to 50.64 mg/g DW, gallic acid from 9.18 to 23.04 mg/g DW, and ellagic acid from 8.13 to 12.65 mg/g DW depending on the cultivars. Dried longan seed extracts of cultivar Edor contained high levels of gallic acid and ellagic acid and also exhibited the highest radical scavenging activities when comparing fresh seed and dried pulp extracts. For scavenging activity of DPPH and superoxide radicals, longan seed extract was found to be as effective as Japanese green tea extract while dried longan pulp and mulberry green tea extracts showed the least scavenging activities. In the ORAC assay, both fresh and dried longan seed also had higher activity than dried pulp and whole fruit. However, the results demonstrate that three polyphenolics may not be the major contributors of the high antioxidant activity of longan water extracts but this high activity may be due to other phenolic/flavonoid glycosides and ellagitannins present in longan fruit. In addition, longan seed also showed tyrosinase inhibitory activity with IC(50) values of 2.9-3.2 mg/ml. Therefore, the preliminary observations suggest that longan seed extract could be another potential source of potent natural dietary antioxidants and also in an application as a new natural skin-whitening agent.     

Contrasting effects of estradiol and 17 beta-aminoestrogens on blood clotting time in rats and mice

Estrogens have been associated with thromboembolic events. Our group has described the anticoagulant effect of 17β-aminoestrogens in rodents, potentially new alternative estrogenic agents without thrombogenic risk. This work compares the contrasting effects of estradiol and the 17β-aminoestrogens (prolame, butolame, and pentolame) on blood clotting time. Ovariectomized CD1 mice received a single injection of 17β-aminoestrogens, estradiol (20 to 80 mg/kg), or vehicle. Estradiol decreased blood clotting time from −10% to −25% (48 h; P<0.01) and 17β-aminoestrogens increased it, differing in latency (12 h; +48%, P<0.01) and duration (72 h +58%, P<0.01). In male Wistar rats, similar effects (pentolame +45%; estradiol −31%; P<0.01) were observed 48 h after five consecutive daily injections of 1000 μg/animal/day. The maximum procoagulant effect of estradiol was obtained after 72 h with 10 μg/animal/day (−45%; P<0.01). 17β-Aminoestrogens always produced opposite effects to those of estradiol on blood coagulation.     

Analysis of estrogenic activity of foodstuffs and cigarette smoke condensates using a yeast estrogen screening method.

Hormone mimics present in our environment are of concern because such agents could potentially reduce fertility and increase sexual dysfunction in wildlife and increase the risk of breast and reproductive organ cancers in man. Therefore, monitoring of the levels of estrogenic compounds in environmental materials is essential in order to prevent their exposure to man and to discover potential harmful effects on human health. In the present study, we analyzed estrogenic activity in 23 foodstuffs and cigarette smoke condensate samples extracted with an organic solvent, using the yeast estrogen screening (YES) system. Three soybean-related foodstuffs (soy sauce, tofu, miso), beer, coffee and cigarette smoke condensates showed clear estrogenic activity in the YES system. HPLC fractionations followed by the YES of these YES-positive samples revealed the presence of many estrogenic compounds in cigarette smoke condensates, whereas the other samples exerted estrogenic activities in only one or two fractions. Genistein was able to be isolated as the major active principle in soy sauce, tofu and miso, its concentration in these three foodstuffs ranging from 0.1 to 394 microg/g or ml. 8-Prenylnaringenin was also isolated from beer extracts as a major compound with estrogenic activity present at 0.22-4.0 ng/ml. Estrogenic activity of 8-prenylnaringenin with YES was 10-times as high as that of genistein, although it was 100-times less than that of 17beta-estradiol. Based on our results in vitro, 10 mg miso and 10 ml beer can be calculated to have similar estrogenic activity to 1 pmole 17beta-estradiol. It is very important that the effects of genistein and 8-prenylnaringenin on human health are elucidated.     

Effect of 17-beta-estradiol and ginsenoside Rg1 on reactive microglia induced by beta-amyloid peptides

The reactive microglias induced by 25 μmol of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ25-35) and/or IFN-γ can initiate the microglial respiratory burst and release NO, respectively. Oxidative stress and inflammatory function have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We showed that 10 μmol 17-β-estradiol (E₂) and 1-10 μmol ginsenoside Rg₁ (Rg₁) could prevent the toxicity of Aβ25-35 and/or IFN-γ to microglias, inhibit the microglial respiratory burst activity and decrease the accumulation of NO. These results demonstrated the protectional effect of E₂ or Rg₁ on neuron from damaging by reactive microglias in AD.     

Rise of testosterone, nortestosterone, and 17beta-estradiol concentrations in peripheral blood plasma of pigs after sublingual application in vivo.

Application of endogenous anabolic steroids to meat producing animals is not allowed in the EU. In other countries application is practised due to a low oral activity based on an efficient first liver passage. This contrasts with pharmacological investigations where steroids were readily absorbed by the buccal and sublingual mucosa using absorption enhancers. An in vivo study was performed to clarify possible absorption after sublingual applications of one milligram portions of either testosterone (T), 17beta-estradiol (E), or nortestosterone (NT) in sesame oil to castrated male pigs (n=5) without specific delivery systems during anaesthesia. Blood samples were drawn using jugular vein catheters for 15 min before and 3h after application. Hormone concentrations were determined by Radioimmunoassay for T and E or Enzymeimmunoassay for NT. For all steroids a slight increase was measurable one minute after application. Maximal values for T, E, and NT were 2.5 ng/ml, 1.5 ng/ml and 4.2 ng/ml, respectively, and were observed after 10 min. The concentrations of the three steroids decreased slowly thereafter but were still significantly elevated 1-3h after application. Oral absorption of steroids without enhancers should be considered in risk analysis.     

Dietary toxicity of calcium β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate (CaHMB)

HMB, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl butyrate, is of interest as a dietary supplement and a possible component of functional and medical foods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of the calcium salt of HMB, calcium 3-hydroxy-3-methyl butyrate (CaHMB, monohydrate, food grade), when administered daily in the diet of rats for at least 90 days.

Male and female Crl:CD^® (SD)IGS BR animals were assigned to four groups. Each group received diets containing the carrier or 1%, 2%, or 5% of CaHMB mixed with diet. Assessment of toxicity was based on mortality, clinical observations, body weights, food consumption, and clinical and anatomic pathology evaluations.

Administration of CaHMB in basal diet for 91 days was tolerated well. There were no unscheduled sacrifices or deaths. There were no CaHMB-related adverse effects on clinical observations, body weights, food consumption, clinical chemistry, hematology, absolute or relative organ weights, or macroscopic or microscopic observations. A statistically significant increase in inorganic phosphorous was observed in male animals in the 5% feeding group; however, this effect was not considered adverse. Based on the results of this study, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was considered to be 5% of CaHMB mixed with diet (3.49 g/kg BW for males and 4.16 g/kg BW for females).     

抗孕激素活性甾族化合物:7α-和7β-甲基-A-环失碳双炔雄甾醇的合成

本文报道利用睾丸酮为原料,经脱氢和二甲基铜锂试剂甲基化,制备7-甲基睾丸酮。采用结晶法分离7α-和7β-异构体后,分别进行锂氨还原、氧化、环合及炔锂炔化等反应,合成7α-和7β-甲基-A-环失碳-2α,17α-双乙炔基-5α-雄甾-2β,17β-二醇(Ⅱa,和Ⅱb),经初步药理试验表明,Ⅱa对大鼠具有较强的抗孕激素活性,口服剂量在2.5 mg/kg时,能明显抑制假孕大鼠蜕膜瘤的生长。抗早孕最低口服有效剂量为3.5 mg/kg/4 d,Ⅱb则较弱。     

5,7-Dihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone,a benzodiazepine site ligand isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi,with selective antagonistic properties

As part of an effort to identify naturally occurring GABA(A) receptor benzodiazepine binding site (BDS) ligands from traditional medicinal herbs, we previously reported that flavonoid derivatives isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis) Georgi exhibited significant affinities for the BDS. The present study describes the characterization of 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone (oroxylin A), one of the major components of the herbal extract. Oroxylin A inhibited [3H]flunitrazepam binding to rat cerebral cortical membrane with a IC(50) value of 1.09+/-0.07 microM. A GABA ratio of 1.09+/-0.04 suggests that oroxylin A interacts as an antagonist at the recognition site. In neuropharmacological studies, oral administration of oroxylin A (3.75-60 mg kg(-1)) did not result in significant changes in animal models routinely employed for benzodiazepine (BD) evaluation. However, oroxylin A selectively abolished the anxiolytic, myorelaxant and motor incoordination, but not the sedative and anticonvulsant effects elicited by diazepam, a BDS agonist. These results add oroxylin A to the list of CNS active flavonoids, and as the first naturally occurring member endowed with selective antagonistic actions via the BDS.