ESTROGENIC EXTRACTS OF Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. Bge. Var. mongolicus Bge. of the Leguminosae Family AND USES THEREOF

Abstract

Estrogenic extracts of Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. Bge. Var. mongolicus Bge. of the Leguminosae Family are provided. Also provided are methods of using said extracts to achieve an estrogenic effect, especially in a human, e.g. a female human. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment of climacteric symptoms. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment of estrogen receptor positive cancer, such as estrogen responsive breast cancer. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment or prevention of osteoporosis.

1 . A composition that modulates the expression of a gene under control of an estrogen response element, wherein the composition comprises one or more compounds obtained from a member of the taxonomic species  Astragalus membranaceus  Fisch. Bge. Var.  mongolicus  Bge. of the Leguminosae family. 
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein modulation of the expression of a gene under control of an estrogen response element treats or prevents a climacteric symptom; treats or prevents osteoporosis; treats or prevents a neoplasia; treats or prevents cardiovascular disease; or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       3 . A method of modulating the expression of a gene under control of an estrogen response element, comprising administering to a subject a therapeutically-effective amount of a composition comprising one or more compounds obtained from a member of the taxonomic species  Astragalus membranaceus  Fisch. Bge. Var.  mongolicus  Bge. of the Leguminosae family. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein modulation of the expression of a gene under control of an estrogen response element treats or prevents a climacteric symptom; treats or prevents osteoporosis; treats or prevents a neoplasia; treats or prevents cardiovascular disease; or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       5 . A method of modulating the expression a gene under control of an estrogen response element, wherein the method comprises contacting a plurality of cells with a therapeutically-effective amount of a composition comprising an extract of a plant species selected from the taxonomic species  Astragalus membranaceus  Fisch. Bge. Var.  mongolicus  Bge. of the Leguminosae family. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cells express ERα, ERβ, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the contacting of a plurality of cells with a therapeutically-effective amount of a composition comprising an extract of a plant species selected from the taxonomic species  Astragalus membranaceus  Fisch. Bge. Var.  mongolicus  Bge. of the Leguminosae family occurs in vitro or in vivo. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising transforming a plurality of cells in a cell culture with a reporter construct, wherein the reporter construct comprises a reporter gene, and wherein the expression of the reporter gene is operably linked to one or more estrogen response elements and/or estrogen receptors. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cells are derived from a cell line selected from U937, U2OS, MDA-MB-435, MCF-7, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the estrogen response element-controlled gene is ERE-tk-Luc. 
   
   
       11 . A method of modulating the expression of a gene under control of a TNF response element, wherein the method comprises contacting a plurality of cells with a therapeutically-effective amount of a composition comprising an extract of a plant species selected from the taxonomic species  Astragalus membranaceus  Fisch. Bge. Var.  mongolicus  Bge. of the Leguminosae family. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the TNF response element-controlled gene is TNF-α, or TNF RE-Luc. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cells express ERα, ERβ, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the contacting of a plurality of cells with a therapeutically-effective amount of a composition comprising an extract of a plant species selected from the taxonomic species  Astragalus membranaceus  Fisch. Bge. Var.  mongolicus  Bge. of the Leguminosae family occurs in vitro or in vivo. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cells are derived from a cell line selected from U937, U2OS, MDA-MB-435, MCF-7, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       16 . A method of obtaining one or more compounds from a member of the taxonomic species  Astragalus membranaceus  Fisch. Bge. Var.  mongolicus  Bge. of the Leguminosae family, comprising:
 (a) contacting plant matter from a member of the  Astragalus membranaceus  Fisch. Bge. Var.  mongolicus  Bge. of the Leguminosae family with an extraction medium, and   (b) following the contacting of the plant matter with the extraction medium, separating the extraction medium and the plant matter.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the extraction medium comprises water, ethanol, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the contacting of the plant matter with the extraction medium occurs at a temperature between about 25° C. and about 100° C. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising purifying and/or partitioning the extract. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein chromatography is used to purify and/or partition the extract.