Cimicifuga racemosa as a serotonin modulator

描述（由申请人提供）：尽管已知 雌激素和致癌作用，雌激素替代疗法仍然是一些 一种治疗更年期症状的方法总状升麻是一种根茎， 已经在几个临床试验中被证明有效地减少潮热。 该草药的确切作用机制仍不清楚。研究可能揭示 这种植物通过调节血清素水平来减少热 闪烁如果植物改善潮热而不增加雌二醇 水平，植物将提供一个安全和有效的解决方案，为妇女与 有乳腺癌病史该提案的重点是培训 申请人如何研究植物通过调查的机制 升麻具体目标是（一）来识别 使用竞争性5-羟色胺受体结合测定法测定植物的一种或多种组分。 （二）将进行细胞体外研究以确定草药 激动或拮抗性质，以建立和定量血清素 亚型结合特异性，以表征 受体，并监测促性腺激素的5-羟色胺依赖性排泄 释放荷尔蒙（三）最后，卵巢切除大鼠模型将用于 评价提取物和化合物在体内的促肾上腺素能作用。

DESCRIPTION (Provided by applicant): Despite the known correlation between estrogens and carcinogenesis, estrogen replacement therapy remains the number one treatment for menopausal symptoms. Cimicifuga racemosa is a rhizome that has been proven effective in reducing hot flashes in several clinical trials. The exact mechanism of action of the herb remains unknown. Studies may reveal that the plant works by modulating serotonin levels and thereby reduces hot flashes. If the plant ameliorates hot flashes without increasing estradiol levels, the botanical will provide a safe and effective solution for women with a history of breast cancer. The focus of this proposal is to train the applicant how to research botanicals by investigating the mechanism of Cimicifuga racemosa. The specific aims are (I.) to identify the active componant(s) of the plant using competitive serotonin receptor binding assays. (II.) Cellular in vitro studies will be conducted to determine the herbs agonistic or antagonistic properties, to establish and quantify serotonin subtype binding specificity, to characterize up- or down-regulation of receptor, and to monitor the serotonin dependent excretion of gonadotropic releasing hormones. (III.) Finally, an ovariectomized rat model will be used to evaluate the serotonergic effects of extracts and compounds in vivo.