| abstract |
Disclosed is a safe substance which can inhibit the activity of aromatase (an enzyme capable of converting androgen into estrogen) to thereby effectively treat and/or prevent a sex hormone-dependent disease such as breast cancer occurring in a female person after menopause, as well as a climacteric disorder in a male person and metabolic syndrome caused by the accumulation of a visceral fat. Specifically disclosed is a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for a sex hormone-dependent disease, which is characterized by comprising at least one herbal extract selected from the group consisting of 'Kokeiten' (golden root), prunella spike, sweet hydrangea leaf, milk thistle, a jasmine tea, 'Bokusoku' (a bark of Querus acutissima or a closely related plant thereof), 'Tencha' (sweet tea), 'Karensou' (Eclipta prostrata), 'Youbaihi' (a bark of Myrica rubra Sie b. et Zucc.), French maritime pine, betel palm, asparagus, 'Rouro' (a root of Rhaponticum unifloru m DC. or Echinops latifolius Tausch), 'Ryoukyou' (a rhizome of Alpinia officinarum Hance), rooibos tea, rhubarb, pu-erh tea, green tea, 'Ougon' (a root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), licorice, 'Senrikou' (Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham.), wintergreen, 'Kashi' (a matured fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz.), 'Yagotou' (a bark of Mallotus japonicus), polygnum root, barrenwort, guarana, 'Ouhi' (a bark of Prunus jamasakura Sieb. ex.Koidz. or a closely related plant thereof), Argy's wormwood, sticky rehmannia, Japanese cornel, Asiasarum root, cinnamon, peony root, pine needle and amla fruit. |