Objective: Evaluation of the influence of the standardized extract from the herb of Epilobium angustifolium on ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA expression in rat ventral prostate tissue and free serum estradiol level.
Materials and methods: Rats were divided into 6 groups with 10 animals. ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA expression in rat ventral prostate tissue level was performed using real-time PCR method in Light Cycler system. Serum-free estradiol was evaluated using immunoenzymatic technique.
Results: In our experimental model there was an increase of ERa mRNA level by 9% and decrease by 36% of ERbeta mRNA level in ventral prostate tissue in rats administrated with testosterone and E. angustifolium extract, in comparison with testosterone alone administrated animals.
Conclusions: E. angustifolium standardized extract influenced the expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta mRNAs in differential manner which may suggest its potentially therapeutic properties or causing of adverse effects in pharmacotherapy of estrogen-related disorders. More complex studies should be undertaken to evaluate safety and to improve the efficacy of using this herbal extract.