Western Herbal Medicine, Epigenetics, and Endometriosis

Lucy Stephens, Stephens L, Julie Whitehouse, Whitehouse J, Marie Polley
Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) · 2013 · vol. 19(11) , pp. 853–859 · doi:10.1089/acm.2012.0623 · PMID:23738681 · W2094341560
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This review examines Western herbal medicines for endometriosis, discussing their phytochemical constituents' effects on endometrial cells and the epigenome.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is an enigmatic disease characterized by the presence and growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity. The etiology of endometriosis is poorly understood, yet recent evidence suggests that epigenetic aberrations and heritable changes in the genome may be the key to understanding how to approach this disease. Difficulty in long-term management of endometriosis symptoms and unpredictability of treatment outcome necessitate research into other treatment modalities, such as Western herbal medicine. This article reviews commonly used herbs in the treatment of endometriosis, the effects of phytochemical constituents on endometrial cells, and the impact on the epigenome.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Plant Extracts Endometriosis Endometriosis Epigenesis, Genetic Female Humans Phytotherapy Plant Extracts

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (99)

Cited by (11)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK