Inhibitory effect of Sphagnum palustre extract and its bioactive compounds on aromatase activity
<p><em>Sphagnum palustre</em> (a moss) has been traditionally used in Korea for the cure of several diseases such as cardiac pain and stroke. In this research, the inhibitory effect of <em>S. palustre</em> on aromatase (cytochrome P<sub>450</sub> 19, CYP19) activity was studied. [1β-<sup>3</sup>H] androstenedione was used as a substrate and incubated with <em>S. palustre</em> extract and recombinant human CYP19 in the presence of NADPH. <em>S. palustre</em> extract inhibited aromatase in a concentration-dependent manner (IC<sub>50</sub> value: 36.4 ± 8.1 µg/mL). To elucidate the major compounds responsible for the aromatase inhibitory effects of <em>S. palustre</em> extract, nine compounds were isolated from the extract and tested for their inhibition of aromatase activity. Compounds <strong>1</strong>, <strong>6</strong>, and <strong>7</strong> displayed aromatase inhibition, while the inhibition by the other compounds was negligible.</p><p><strong>Video Clip</strong></p><p><a href="https://youtube.com/v/n6xeo3RXJVY">Aromatase enzyme activity:</a> 4 min 16 sec </p>