Exploring the Inhibitory Potential of Phytosterols Beta-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, and Campesterol on 5-Alpha Reductase Activity in the Human Prostate: An In Vitro and In Silico Approach

November 2024 in “ Plants ”

Mădălina-Georgiana Buț, Amelia Tero-Vescan, Amalia Puşcaş, George Jîtcă, Gabriel Marc

β-sitosterol stigmasterol campesterol 5-alpha reductase 5-alpha reductase type 2 S5αR2 dutasteride androgenic alopecia benign prostatic hyperplasia beta-sitosterol Proscar Avodart

Studysummary This study found that the phytosterols β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol have low-to-negligible inhibitory activity against steroidal 5α-reductase type 2 compared to the synthetic inhibitor dutasteride, with β-sitosterol showing the highest activity among the tested phytosterols. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This study examines the inhibitory effects of phytosterols β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol on the enzyme 5-alpha reductase type 2 (S5αR2) in the human prostate, using both in vitro and in silico methods. The findings indicate that these phytosterols have significantly lower inhibitory activity compared to the synthetic inhibitor dutasteride, with β-sitosterol showing the highest activity among the phytosterols. Despite their lower potency, these natural compounds may offer a potential alternative for managing conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia, although their therapeutic benefits might be more related to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties rather than direct enzyme inhibition.

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research Virtual Insights into Natural Compounds as Potential 5α-Reductase Type II Inhibitors: A Structure-Based Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

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research Bioactive Metabolites of Edible Mushrooms Efficacious Against Androgenic Alopecia: Targeting SRD5A2 Using Computational Approach

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This study suggests that three mushroom-derived bioactive compounds, Zhankuic acid A, Sterenin M, and Melleolide K, may effectively inhibit SRD5A2 and stabilize its interaction, indicating potential for treating androgenic alopecia.

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This study reports that using molecular docking methods, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol from Serenoa repens were identified as potential natural inhibitors of the 5AR1 enzyme, which could serve as novel treatments for androgenetic alopecia based on their inhibitory action observed in a laboratory setting.

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research A New Label-Free Screen for Steroid 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Using LC-MS

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