Activation of the Ah receptor by extracts of dietary herbal supplements, vegetables, and fruits

Jeuken, A; Keser, BJG; Khan, E; Brouwer, A; Koeman, J; Denison, MS

HERO ID

199142

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2003

Language

English

PMID

12926901

HERO ID 199142
In Press No
Year 2003
Title Activation of the Ah receptor by extracts of dietary herbal supplements, vegetables, and fruits
Authors Jeuken, A; Keser, BJG; Khan, E; Brouwer, A; Koeman, J; Denison, MS
Journal Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume 51
Issue 18
Page Numbers 5478-5487
Abstract The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that can be activated by a structurally diverse range of synthetic and natural chemicals, and it mediates the toxic and biological effects of environmental contaminants such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The spectrum of chemicals that bind to and activate the AhR signal transduction pathway and the identity of materials containing AhR active chemicals is only now being defined. Utilizing AhRdependent gel retardation and reporter gene bioassays, the screening of extracts of 22 dietary herbal supplements and 21 food products (vegetables and fruits) was performed to identify those containing AhR agonists. Several herbal extracts (ginseng, Fo-Ti, white oak bark, licorice, ginkgo biloba, and black cohosh) stimulated AhR DNA binding and gene expression to levels between 20 and 60% of that produced by TCDD. Although some food extracts (corn, jalapen˜o pepper, green bell pepper, apple, Brussels sprout, and potato) were relatively potent activators of AhR DNA binding (30-50% of TCDD), only corn and jalapen˜o pepper extracts induced AhR-dependent luciferase reporter gene expression. However, dilution of corn, jalapen˜o pepper, bell pepper, and potato extracts dramatically increased their ability to induce luciferase activity, suggesting that these extracts contained AhR antagonists whose effectiveness was overcome by dilution. Overall, these results demonstrate that dietary products can be a major source of naturally occurring AhR ligands to which animals and humans are chronically exposed.
Doi 10.1021/jf030252u
Pmid 12926901
Wosid WOS:000184941500045
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Ah receptor; 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; TCDD; natural ligands; herbs; vegetables; fruits; natural products
Is Qa No