Black Cohosh - Non-Timber Forest Products

Reports on the detection of changes in neurotransmitter concentrations in
response to treatment with black cohosh. Results showed that black cohosh
had an antidepressant activity caused by the inhibition of monoamine
oxidase.
Keywords: Clinical studies, physiological actions.
Lontos, S.; Jones, R.M.; Angus, P.W.; Gow, P.J. 2003. Acute liver failure
associated with the use of herbal preparations containing black cohosh.
Medical Journal of Australia. 179(7): 390-391.
Reports a case of liver failure caused by an herbal remedy containing
fluid extracts of ground ivy (Nepeta hederaceae), goldenseal (Hydrastis
canadensis), gingko (Gingko biloba), oats seed (Avena sativa), and black
cohosh. Three months after beginning to use the herbal mixture, the patient
had acute liver failure and required a transplant. The explanted liver
showed massive hepatic necrosis. Based on previous reports of hepatic
failure associated with black cohosh, the authors suggested that the adverse
reaction was caused by the black cohosh in the herbal mixture.
Keywords: Case studies, toxicity.
Löser, B.; Kruse, S.O.; Melzig, M.F.; Nahrstedt, A. 2000. Inhibition of
neutrophil elastase activity by cinnamic acid derivatives from Cimicifuga
racemosa. Planta Medica. 66: 751-753.
Evaluates several chemical constituents of black cohosh rhizomes, and
describes their mechanism of action.
Keywords: Chemical constituents, physiological actions.
Lupu, R.; Mehmi, I.; Atlas, E. [and others]. 2002. Black cohosh, a
menopausal remedy, does not have estrogenic activity and does not
promote breast cancer cell growth. International Journal of Oncology. 23:
1407-1412.
Determines that black cohosh does not have estrogenic activity in vitro.
Various assays indicated that black cohosh extracts did not bind to or
otherwise modulate estrogen receptors, and did not cause estrogen-positive
breast cancer cells to proliferate.
Keywords: Cancer, physiological actions.
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