Researchers from Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences found the estrogenic activities of the isoflavones extracted from chickpea sprouts (ICS) in ovariectomized rats, and it has the potential use of ICS for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency.

Cicer arietinum L. is one of the oldest and most widely planted legumes in the world. Its common name (chickpea) was derived because its seed is spiry, like an eagle’s beak.It is also an important food for its rich in high-quality protein, carbohydrates and essential mineral elements.

Immunohistochemical analysis of PCNA expression in uteri of OVX rats. Representative micrographs of PCNA expression (brown staining in nuclei) in uteri of OVX+E2, OVX+ICS-50, OVX+ICS-100, and OVX+Veh rats. The color arrows were indicated the positive nuclei in different cells: luminal epithelial cells (red arrows), glandular epithelial cells (yellow arrows) and stromal cells (blue arrows) in uterine (×400). （Imaged by XTIPC）

Researchers used an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model to evaluate the estrogenic activities of ICS. They studied the effects of ICS treatment on uterine growth, ovarian hormone, gonadotropin responses and bone structural changes in OVX rats. The results showed that treatments of OVX rats with ICS (50 or 100 mg·kg-1·d-1) produced significant estrogenic effects on the uteruses, including the increases in uterine weight, epithelial height and gland number, as well as in the expression of the cell proliferation marker PCNA. ICS treatment significantly also changed the secretory profile of ovarian hormone and pituitary gonadotropins: serum E₂ level was significantly increased,while serum LH and FSH levels were decreased compared with the vehicle-treated OVX rats. Furthermore, ICS treatment significantly prevented bone loss: increasing in BMD, BV/TV, and Tb.Th, as well as decreasing in Tb.Sp and number of osteoclasts.  

 “Our study shows for the first time that ICS exhibits strong estrogenic activity and prevents bone loss in OVX rats” said Prof. Haji Akber AISA, the study's lead author. These results indicate that ICS is beneficial for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency.

The results have been published on  Acta Pharmacological Sinica　34, 380-386 (March 2013). 

This work was supported in part by grants from the China National Funds for Distinguished Young Scientists, National Natural Science Foundation of China etc.  

Contact: Haji Akber AISA

E-mail: haji@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences