Description
Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that exhibits agonist activity in bone and antagonist activity in uterine and breast tissues. Raloxifene is clinically used to prevent osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and to treat ER+ breast cancer. This compound exhibits anti-osteoporotic, anti-parasitic, neuromodulatory, and anticancer chemotherapeutic activities. Raloxifene decreases fracture risk and enhances bone strength in clinical settings. In vitro and in vivo, raloxifene inhibits growth of Leishmania and parasitic burden. Additionally, raloxifene increases uptake of glutamate and expression of GLT-1 in astrocytes. In animal models of breast cancer, this compound decreases expression of EGFR, vascular density, and tumor growth.