Multiple Readout Assay for Hormonal (Androgenic and Antiandrogenic) and Cytotoxic Activity of Plant and Fungal Extracts Based on Differential Prostate Cancer Cell Line Behavior

The study developed an assay using LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines to evaluate the hormonal and cytotoxic effects of plant and fungal extracts. A total of 186 fractions from 23 traditionally used organisms were tested. The assay successfully identified hormonal influences from nine different extracts and for the first time, detected cytotoxic activity in fractions from Aglaia spectabilis, Nephrolepis exaltata, and Cortinarius brunneus. The differential responses of the two cell lines enabled the identification of androgenic, antiandrogenic, estrogenic, and glucocorticoid receptor-related activities, as well as cytotoxic effects. The study concluded that this assay could be a valuable tool for assessing the biological activities of traditional medicinal materials.