Inhibition of 5α-Reductase in the Rat Prostate by Cimicifuga Racemosa
August 2006
in “
Maturitas
”
TLDR Cimicifuga racemosa extract may help prevent and treat prostate issues by inhibiting 5α-reductase.
The study investigated the effects of Cimicifuga racemosa (CR) extract BNO 1055 on 5α-reductase activity in the rat prostate. Immature male rats were treated with testosterone and either CR BNO 1055 or finasteride for 5 days. Both treatments significantly inhibited the testosterone-induced increase in prostate and seminal vesicle weight, as well as reduced 5α-dihydrotestosterone levels in prostate tissue. The CR extract also inhibited the expression of androgen receptor and insulin-like growth factor I genes in seminal vesicles. These findings suggested that CR BNO 1055 contained potent 5α-reductase inhibitors, indicating its potential use in preventing and treating prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia.