We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Phytosterol Pygeum africanum regulates prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo.
- Authors
Nader Shenouda; Mary Sakla; Leslie Newton; Cynthia Besch-Williford; Norman Greenberg; Ruth MacDonald; Dennis Lubahn
- Abstract
BackgroundProstate cancer is an important public health problem. It is an excellent candidate disease for chemo-prevention because prostate cancer is typically slow growing and is usually diagnosed in elderly males. Pygeum africanum (Prunus africana or Rosaceae) is an African prune (plum) tree found in tropical Africa. An extract from the bark of Pygeum africanum has been used in Europe as a prevention and treatment of prostate disorders including benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). More recently in the USA, the phytotherapeutic preparations of Pygeum africanum and Saw palmetto have been marketed for prostate health including prostate cancer prevention and treatment.MethodsThe anti-cancer potential of Pygeum africanum has been tested both in vitro (PC-3 and LNCaP cells) and in?vivo (TRAMP mouse model).ResultsIn tissue culture, ethanolic extracts (30%) of Pygeum africanum inhibited the growth of PC-3 and LNCaP cells; induced apoptosis and altered cell kinetics; down regulated ERa and PKC-a protein, and demonstrated good binding ability to both mouse uterine estrogen receptors and LNCaP human androgen receptors. TRAMP mice fed Pygeum africanum showed a significant reduction (P = 0.034) in prostate cancer incidence (35%) compared to casein fed mice (62.5%).ConclusionPygeum africanum, which is widely used in Europe and USA for treatment of BPH, has a significant role in regulation of prostate cancer both in?vitro and in?vivo and therefore may be a useful supplement for people at high risk for developing prostate cancer.
- Publication
Endocrine (1355008X), 2007, Vol 31, Issue 1, p72
- ISSN
1355-008X
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1007/s12020-007-0014-y