Black Cohosh - Non-Timber Forest Products

estrogen). Several studies have shown that black cohosh does not cause
the proliferation of cancer cells (Amato and others 2001, Freudenstein and
others 2002, Lupu and others 2002, Morris and others 2003), and may even
possess cancer-fighting properties (Dixon-Shanies and Shaikh 1999, Dog
and others 2003, Hostanska and others 2004). Einbond and others (2004)
found that ethyl acetate extracts and the triterpene glycoside actein, both
active constituents in black cohosh, demonstrated significant inhibition
of both estrogen-positive and estrogen-negative tumors. Studies on drug
interactions have shown that black cohosh can increase the effectiveness
of some anticancer drugs (Freudenstein and Bodinet 1999, Muñoz and
Pluchino 2003, Nesselhut and others 1993, Rockwell and others 2003),
but can also increase the toxicity of others (Rockwell and others 2003).
One study conducted on female mice found that groups treated with black
cohosh had significantly higher rates of tumor metastasization to the lungs
than the control groups (Davis and others 2003). Critics have responded
that this study was conducted on mice that were specifically bred to develop
cancer, and that black cohosh may not demonstrate the same physiological
effect on humans (Decker 2003, Murray 2003).
Several studies have looked at other medicinal applications of black cohosh.
Burdette and others (2002) found that black cohosh possesses antioxidant
activity and may protect against damage to DNA by reactive oxygen
species. Burke and others (2002) examined the use of black cohosh to treat
menstrual migraines. Takahira and others (1998) examined the antimalarial
activity of triterpene glycosides found in black cohosh. Most recently,
Sakurai and others (2004) discovered several constituents in black cohosh
rhizomes that have moderate or potential anti-HIV activity.
Patents have been issued for the use of black cohosh for treating menopause
symptoms (Fasano 2003, Newmark and Schulick 2001), reducing hair
loss (McCullough 2000), treating estrogen-dependent tumors (Nesselhut
and others 2001), and reducing levels of peptides in the brain believed to
contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (Eckman and others 2003).
Other Uses
Black cohosh is used in the landscape as a native border or woodland plant
in moist, shady locations (Missouri Botanical Garden 2002, Perry 2001).
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