Anti-Androgen Effects of Extracts and Compounds from Ganoderma Lucidum
February 2009
in “
Chemistry & Biodiversity
”
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Studysummary This study found that Ganoderma lucidum extracts showed weak 5alpha-reductase inhibition but significantly inhibited prostate cell proliferation and testosterone-driven prostate growth in rats, suggesting potential as an ingredient for treating androgen-induced diseases. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The document reports on a study that explored the anti-androgen effects of Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom. The study found that 30% ethanol extracts of the mushroom had weak 5α-reductase inhibitory activity, could bind to the androgen receptor, and inhibited the proliferation of LNCaP prostate cancer cells in vitro. In vivo, these extracts significantly reduced testosterone-induced prostate growth in castrated rats. Specifically, the chloroform fraction of the extract was effective in suppressing prostate growth and LNCaP cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxic effects. Ganoderiol F, a compound isolated from the mushroom, showed strong binding to the androgen receptor and inhibited LNCaP cell growth, indicating an anti-androgen effect. The study concluded that Ganoderma lucidum, particularly the chloroform fraction and ganoderiol F, may be beneficial in treating prostate cancer. The in vivo experiments involved 6 rats per group, and the cell proliferation experiments were conducted in triplicate. Ethical guidelines for animal experiments were followed.
