Hemp seed oil can accelerate the virgin mice mature and balance sex hormones, modulates organ atrophy, and restores in ovariectomized mice through upregulates ER𝛼 and ER𝛽 expressions

Abstract BackgroundHemp seed, the dried fruit of Cannabis sativa L., has been well documented as a folk source of food due to its nutritional and functional value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the estrogen-like effect of hemp seed oil (HSO) and analyze its action on the development of ovary and uterus of mice, concentration of sex hormones, endometrial thickness, and ER𝛼 and ER𝛽 expression. MethodsIn the present work, virgin and ovariectomized kunming mice were subject to treat with HSO. Gonad morphous was detected by Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining, serum levels of E2, FSH and LH was determined used ELISA to evaluate the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, and ERα and ERβ immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate gonad function. ResultsThe results showed that HSO can promote the vaginal opening time of virgin mice. There was significant increase in the gonad coefficient. Moreover, the endometrial thickness, number of primary follicles, secondary follicles and mature follicles were significantly increased, the uterus and ovary were well developed, the ERα and ERβ positive cells and intensity were increased in the virgin mouse ovary. The level of serum E2 was significantly increased, and the levels of FSH and LH were decreased. HSO could obviously relieve the endocrine disorders, modulate organ atrophy, and restore ER𝛼 and ER𝛽 expression in the ovariectomized mice model. ConclusionsHemp seed oil can accelerate the virgin mice mature and balance sex hormones, modulates organ atrophy, and restores in ovariectomized mice through upregulates ER𝛼 and ER𝛽 expressions. This study demonstrated that HSO activity is mediated through estrogenic components, and provided evidence for HSO treatment for post-menopausal symptoms.