A protein isolated from the Chinese yam Dioscorea opposita that stimulates estrogen and progesterone release in vitro and in vivo but does not stimulate the proliferation of breast and ovarian cancer cells is disclosed. The protein exhibits anti-osteoporotic activity in vivo. Also provided are the procedure for isolation and purification of the protein and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein, as well as therapeutic uses of the polypeptide compound and extracts comprising the polypeptide compound for increasing the level of estradiol, estrogen, and/or progesterone in vivo and/or in vitro, for increasing the expression levels of aromatase and/or follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), and for treatment of menopausal syndrome.

published_or_final_version