Spectroscopic Study of Extracts from Plant Material Obtained from The Great Dismal Swamp

Mentor: Mr. David Hankins

McNair Director: Dr. Cheryl Lewis

Team Members: Bettina Holloman, Elnora Harvey

ABSTRACT

Hormones are chemical substances secreted actively and liberally into circulation. They regulate a wide variety of metabolic functions and transport functions, as well as development, growth, and reproduction. In addition, they are transported to various parts of the body, where they regulate and direct metabolic reactions. Hormones of gonadal origin are important for normal function of the reproductive system. One important gonadal hormone is estrogen. Estrogen is important for the development and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics and behavior. It affects only the metabolism of their specific target organs. Estrogen can influence the growth of tissue cells of the prostate, especially the breasts. The growth can get so much out of control that the tumors can become cancerous. Certain estrogens in specific strains of environmental animals can induce cancer, indicating that the genetic background and the hormonal environment interact to produce the undisciplined mitosis characteristic of malignant growth. Not only is it found in mammals, estrogen is also found in the foods that we eat, such as rice, beans, and garlic. They are called natural estrogens. Natural estrogens mimic steroidal estrogen, interfering with hormonal binding receptors and the actual response- too much estrogen or just enough. In this particular research project, we will extract and identify natural estrogens and antiestrogens of plant materials obtained from The Great Dismal Swamp. This helped us to come up with an estrogen receptor. An estrogen receptor is an intracellular receptor that is measured directly in tumor tissue. It treats tumors of the breasts, which depend on estrogen for further growth. If a woman had a budding cluster of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells, estrogen replacement could promote the tumor�s growth. The accuracy of their measurement is dependent on a timely and efficient collection of the tissue. Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen drug, interferes with the activity of estrogen. Some breast cancer cells are �estrogen sensitive.� Estrogen binds to these cells and stimulates their growth and division. Tamoxifen prevents the binding of estrogen. This stops the cell from growing and in doing so, prevents or delays breast cancer recurrence. Tamoxifen is also known to work through growth factors and the immune system and may provide some benefit even in patients whose tumors are not estrogen sensitive.