Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the estrogen-like activities of the outer scales of onion and garlic. Methods: This work compared the estrogenic effects induced by estradiol and the plant extract in vivo and in vitro models of immature mice. Uterine wet weight/body weight ratios were determined. Uterotrophic bioassay (increased epithelial cell height, and gland development), immunohistochemical assay for the estrogen receptor and proliferative marker Ki67 and uterine contractility were investigated.
Results: Onion extract has the capacity to induce proliferative changes in the uterus that are analogous to those induced by estrogens, it also increased the wet uterine weight, and epithelial cell height. Also the frequency and amplitude of myometrial contractility were significantly increased in the group treated by onion extract. This estrogenic activity is attributed to quercetin and daidzein.
Conclusion: Our results support the possible estrogenic properties of the onion extract compounds.