Anti-androgenic effect of sesquiterpenes isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb.
July 2012
in “Fitoterapia”
TLDR Germacrone from Curcuma aeruginosa may help treat conditions related to male hormones by blocking a specific enzyme.
In a 2012 study, researchers investigated the anti-androgenic effects of sesquiterpenes from Curcuma aeruginosa, with a focus on a compound named germacrone. Germacrone was found to be a potent inhibitor of 5α-reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is linked to conditions like androgenic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The compound effectively inhibited testosterone-induced growth in LNCaP cells and the flank gland of male Syrian hamsters, similar to the drug finasteride. However, germacrone was less effective against DHT-induced growth and did not bind to androgen receptors, suggesting its primary mechanism is through 5α-reductase inhibition. The study concluded that germacrone could be a potential treatment for androgen-dependent disorders, but the number of subjects involved in the study was not provided.
View this study on doi.org →
Cited in this study
research Anti-Androgen Effects of Extracts and Compounds fromGanoderma lucidum
Ganoderma lucidum may help treat prostate cancer by blocking male hormones and slowing cancer cell growth.
research Testosterone 5.ALPHA.-Reductase Inhibitory Active Constituents of Piper nigrum Leaf
Black pepper leaf extract contains compounds that can block testosterone effects and promote hair growth.
research Anti-androgenic and Hair Growth Promoting Activities of Lygodii Spora (Spore of Lygodium japonicum) I. Active Constituents Inhibiting Testosterone 5.ALPHA.-Reductase.
Lygodii Spora extract may help treat hair loss by blocking a hair loss-related enzyme and promoting hair growth.
research Anti-androgenic Activity of Myricae Cortex. Isolation of Active Constituents from Bark of Myrica rubra.
The bark of Myrica rubra contains compounds that can block testosterone effects and might help prevent hair loss.
research Dihydrotestosterone and the Concept of 5α–Reductase Inhibition in Human Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Blocking the enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT can safely and effectively treat enlarged prostate.
research Mechanism-Based Inhibition of Human Steroid 5α-Reductase by Finasteride: Enzyme-Catalyzed Formation of NADP−Dihydrofinasteride, a Potent Bisubstrate Analog Inhibitor
Finasteride effectively blocks enzyme causing male pattern baldness.
Related
research Anti-androgenic effect of sesquiterpenes isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb.
Germacrone from Curcuma aeruginosa may help treat conditions related to male hormones by blocking a specific enzyme.
research The antiandrogenic effect of finasteride against a mutant androgen receptor
Finasteride may improve prostate cancer treatment outcomes.