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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Deoxybenzoins are novel potent selective estrogen receptor modulators
Zoi Papoutsi1, Eva Kassi, Nikolas Fokialakis
1Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Goudi 11527, Athens, Greece.
Two novel deoxybenzoins were tested for estrogen receptor activity. Compound 2 shows potential as a selective estrogen receptor modulator for hormone replacement therapy due to its varied effects on different cell types.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Deoxybenzoins are plant-derived compounds structurally related to isoflavones.
- Estrogen receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta) play crucial roles in various physiological processes.
- Understanding the interaction of novel compounds with estrogen receptors is vital for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities of two synthesized deoxybenzoins (Compound 1 and Compound 2).
- To assess their effects on specific protein modulation, osteoblast mineralization, and cancer cell viability.
- To investigate their potential as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays using HeLa cells co-transfected with ER-expression vectors and a luciferase reporter gene.
- Western blot analysis to measure IGFBP-3 and pS2 protein levels in MCF-7 cells.
- Osteoblast mineralization assays and cell viability assessments in endometrial and breast cancer cell lines.
- Molecular modeling including docking and binding energy calculations using Macromodel 6.5.
Main Results:
- Compound 1 exhibited estrogenic activity via ERbeta but not ERalpha.
- Compound 2 acted as an ERalpha agonist and ERbeta antagonist.
- Both compounds increased IGFBP-3 levels; Compound 2 induced osteoblast mineralization.
- Compound 1 enhanced MCF-7 cell viability and pS2 levels, while Compound 2 inhibited viability.
Conclusions:
- Compound 2 demonstrates selective estrogen receptor modulation, acting as an agonist in osteoblasts and an antagonist in breast cancer cells.
- Its varied effects suggest potential applications in hormone replacement therapy.
- Further research into Compound 2's therapeutic potential is warranted based on its selective activity profile.
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