Cimicifuga racemosa, commonly known as black cohosh is a perennial plant used traditionally for difficulties related to menstruation. Black cohosh extract is a popular alternative that is purported to be a viable replacement therapy for hormones associated with cervical dysplasia. However, clinical studies have resulted in conflicting results. Always consult an oncologist before turning to herbal therapies for the treatment of cancer.
Non-steroidal Compounds in Plants
An article appearing in the January 2011 issue of "Frontiers in Bioscience" included an article on non-steroidal compounds of plants that act similarly to estrogen in the treatment of cervical dysplasia. The article identified isoflavones of Cimicifuga racemosa as the most important biologically active component, which moderately improves vasomotor symptoms. The study further noted that trials performed with isoflavones have observed a reduction of the loss of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women and a slight decrease in LDL, or "good," cholesterol.
Progesterone and Estradiol in Cervical Dysplasia
The April 2010 issue of "Anticancer Research" included an article that investigated correlations between serum progesterone and estradiol levels and the occurrence of tumor indicators in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, CIN. The researchers recruited women with cervical biopsies ranging from normal to CIN stage III and studied the expression levels of eleven tumor indicators. They found that in normal epithelium, low progesterone levels correlated to expression of growth factors typically seen in analyses of CIN and high estradiol levels correlated with expression of proteins also observed in CIN. The study concluded that serum levels of progesterone and estradiol appear to correlate with increased expression of tumor markers in CIN.
Black Cohosh as an Estrogen Replacement
Black cohosh is commonly thought to have multiple actions including potential estrogenic properties. This has raised some concern about its use by patients with hormone-sensitive cancers. A study published in the August 2007 issue of "Supportive Care in Cancer" reviewed the safety and efficacy of black cohosh in patients with cancer. The authors critically assessed clinical and preclinical studies of cervical cancer and found the research assessing efficacy of black cohosh for the treatment of this disease is inconclusive. They noted that there is laboratory evidence of anti-proliferative properties but no confirmation from clinical studies for a protective role in cancer prevention.
Other Cancers
Other types of cancer have been investigated for potential treatment by black cohosh including breast cancer, but the estrogenic influence of the herb on the breast has not been fully investigated. A study appearing in the February 2007 issue of "Nutrition and Cancer" investigated the activity and mechanism of action of this compound. The goals of the study were to determine the content of commercially available black cohosh preparations and the effect of the extracts on circulating estrogenic markers. The researchers found that black cohosh had no effect on estrogenic markers in the blood and had no effect on cellular morphology.
References
- "Frontiers in Bioscience"; Phytotherapy as alternative to hormone replacement therapy; M. Molla et al; January 2011
- "Anticancer Research"; Increased serum progesterone and estradiol correlate to increased COX-2 tissue expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; R. Samir et al; April 2010
- "Supportive Care in Cancer"; Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa [L.] Nutt.): safety and efficacy for cancer patients; R. Walji et al; August 2007
- "Nutrition and Cancer"; Black cohosh does not exert an estrogenic effect on the breast; R. Ruhlen et al; February 2007
