Assessment of endocrine disruption potential of essential oils of culinary herbs and spices involving glucocorticoid, androgen and vitamin D receptors

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) of culinary herbs and spices are consumed on a daily basis. They are multicomponent mixtures of compounds with already demonstrated biological activities. Taking into account regular dietary intake and the chemical composition of EOs, they may be considered as candidates for endocrine-disrupting entities. Therefore, we examined the effects of 31 EOs of culinary herbs and spices on transcriptional activities of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), androgen receptor (AR) and vitamin D receptor (VDR). Using reporter gene assays in stably transfected cell lines, weak anti-androgen and anti-glucocorticoid activity was observed for EO of vanilla and nutmeg, respectively. Moderate augmentation of calcitriol-dependent VDR activity was caused by EOs of ginger, thyme, coriander and lemongrass. Mixed anti-glucocorticoid and VDR-stimulatory activities were displayed by EOs of turmeric, oregano, dill, caraway, verveine and spearmint. The remaining 19 EOs were inactive against all receptors under investigation. Analyses of GR, AR and VDR target genes by means of RT-PCR confirmed the VDR-stimulatory effects, but could not confirm the anti-glucocorticoid and anti-androgen effects of EOs. In conclusion, although we observed minor effects of several EOs on transcriptional activities of GR, AR and VDR, the toxicological significance of these effects is very low. Hence, 31 EOs of culinary herbs and spices may be considered safe, in terms of endocrine disruption involving receptors GR, AR and VDR.

Mechanisms of vitamin D on skeletal muscle function: oxidative stress, energy metabolism and anabolic state

“…Also, non-genomic effects of vitamin D, characterized by rapid activation followed by other complex pathways of intracellular signal transduction after binding of 1,25(OH)D 3 to its non-nuclear receptor (Losel et al 2003; Girgis et al 2013; Owens et al 2015) have been reported. Interestingly not only vitamin D itself, but also essential oils (caraway, coriander, dill, ginger, lemongrass, oregano, spearmint, thyme, turmeric and verveine) exhibit the ability to modulate VDR activity (Bartonkova et al 2018). Intriguingly, essential oils of turmeric, oregano, dill, caraway, verveine and spearmint augmented the activity of both VDR and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) (Bartonkova et al 2018).…”

“…Interestingly not only vitamin D itself, but also essential oils (caraway, coriander, dill, ginger, lemongrass, oregano, spearmint, thyme, turmeric and verveine) exhibit the ability to modulate VDR activity (Bartonkova et al 2018). Intriguingly, essential oils of turmeric, oregano, dill, caraway, verveine and spearmint augmented the activity of both VDR and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) (Bartonkova et al 2018). The concentrations of essential oils used in this study are naturally occurring in foods and drinks (Usjak et al 2017).…”

Vitamins and endocrine disruptors: the exohormone system

“…It seems to be very difficult to declare, that e.g. phytoestrogens are beneficial and bisphenol A is harmful, as the decision is dependent on the aspects and so many new molecules appeared as exohormone, that almost impossible at present to decide, what will be evolutionarily useful without acute destroying effect, or acutely useful with evolutionarily harmful effects [29]. The fact is: in contrast to the earlier times, exohormones must be considered and from this aspect the so-called vitamins and so-called endocrine disruptors are in the same category.…”

Functionalized non-woven surfaces for combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Bartonkova et al . [ 24 ] reported the effective performance of herbal extracts on glucocorticoid based receptors, which exhibited anti-hypertensive, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, boosting the immune response against the harmful viral infections. Similarly, Kumar et al .…”