Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Food Funct. 2018 Apr 25;9(4):2136-2144. doi: 10.1039/c7fo02058a.
Essential oils (EOs) of culinary herbs and spices are consumed on a daily basis. They are multicomponent mixtures of compounds with already demonstrated biological activities. Taking into account regular dietary intake and the chemical composition of EOs, they may be considered as candidates for endocrine-disrupting entities. Therefore, we examined the effects of 31 EOs of culinary herbs and spices on transcriptional activities of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), androgen receptor (AR) and vitamin D receptor (VDR). Using reporter gene assays in stably transfected cell lines, weak anti-androgen and anti-glucocorticoid activity was observed for EO of vanilla and nutmeg, respectively. Moderate augmentation of calcitriol-dependent VDR activity was caused by EOs of ginger, thyme, coriander and lemongrass. Mixed anti-glucocorticoid and VDR-stimulatory activities were displayed by EOs of turmeric, oregano, dill, caraway, verveine and spearmint. The remaining 19 EOs were inactive against all receptors under investigation. Analyses of GR, AR and VDR target genes by means of RT-PCR confirmed the VDR-stimulatory effects, but could not confirm the anti-glucocorticoid and anti-androgen effects of EOs. In conclusion, although we observed minor effects of several EOs on transcriptional activities of GR, AR and VDR, the toxicological significance of these effects is very low. Hence, 31 EOs of culinary herbs and spices may be considered safe, in terms of endocrine disruption involving receptors GR, AR and VDR.
食用香草和香料的精油（EOs）每天都被食用。它们是具有已证明的生物活性的多种化合物的混合物。考虑到日常饮食的摄入和 EOs 的化学成分，它们可能被认为是内分泌干扰物的候选物。因此，我们研究了 31 种食用香草和香料的 EOs 对糖皮质激素受体（GR）、雄激素受体（AR）和维生素 D 受体（VDR）的转录活性的影响。使用稳定转染细胞系中的报告基因检测，我们观察到香草和肉豆蔻的 EO 分别具有弱的抗雄激素和抗糖皮质激素活性。生姜、百里香、芫荽和柠檬草的 EO 引起了钙三醇依赖性 VDR 活性的适度增强。姜黄、牛至、莳萝、香菜、马鞭草和薄荷的 EO 显示出混合的抗糖皮质激素和 VDR 刺激活性。其余 19 种 EO 对所有研究受体均无活性。通过 RT-PCR 对 GR、AR 和 VDR 靶基因的分析证实了 VDR 刺激作用，但不能证实 EO 对 GR 和 AR 的抗糖皮质激素和抗雄激素作用。总之，尽管我们观察到几种 EO 对 GR、AR 和 VDR 的转录活性有较小的影响，但这些影响的毒理学意义非常低。因此，就涉及 GR、AR 和 VDR 的内分泌干扰而言，31 种食用香草和香料的 EO 可以被认为是安全的。
