Pueraria Mirifica, Phytoestrogen-Induced Change in Synaptophysin Expression Via Estrogen Receptor in Rat Hippocampal Neuron
Rattiya Chindewa MSc*,**, Saitida Lapanantasin*,**, Yupin Sanvarinda PhD*,***, Sukumal Chongthammakun PhD*,**
Affiliation : * Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok ** Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok *** Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objective : To examine Pueraria mirifica (Leguminosae) containing-phytoestrogen effect on synaptic density
and involvement of estrogen receptor.
Material and Method: The level of synaptophysin, a presynaptic vesicle protein, was measured using Western
blot analysis and immunocytochemistry in hippocampal primary cell cultures at 6 days in vitro.
Results : P. mirifica and 17β-estradiol (0.1 µM) treatment for 4 days, but not for 2 days, significantly increased
synaptophysin immunoreactivity and level of synaptophysin. P. mirifica up to 60 µg/ml resulted in a dose
related increase in the level of synaptophysin immunoreactivity. The classical estrogen receptor antagonist,
ICI 182 780, significantly blocked P. mirifica-induced increase in synaptophysin.
Conclusion : P. mirifica-containing phytoestrogen affects synaptic density by inducing synaptophysin expres-
sion via estrogen receptor.
Keywords : Phytoestrogens, Pueraria mirifica, Hippocampal neuron, 17β-estradiol, Synaptophysin, Synaptic density
