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Mistletoes are hemi-parasitic plants widely distributed around the world, used in folk medicine to treat many diseases including diabetes, hypertension, menopausal syndrome and as complementary or adjuvant treatment for cancer. The objective of the present work was the evaluation of oestrogenic activity of hydromethanolic extract of mistletoe Struthanthus venetus dried leaves (StvHME), to evaluate its potential benefits in menopause and breast cancer, which have not been reported so far. Uterotrophic activity was evaluated in immature female CD1 mice, administering StvHME (10, 100 and 500 mg/kg) for three consecutive days compared to the natural hormone 17β-oestradiol (E2, 10 μg/kg). Comparison of the MCF-7 positive oestrogen receptor human breast adenocarcinoma cell proliferation in the presence of StvHME (0.5, 5 and 50 μg/ml) or E2 (10-12-10-10M) related to untreated control cells was assessed using MTT cell viability assay. StvHME, produced biphasic effects in mice uteri; low doses (10 mg/kg) decreased uterine weight (15-38%; p |
