Ageratum conyzoides L. inhibits 5-alpha-reductase gene expression in human prostate cells and reduces symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy in otherwise healthy men in a double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical study

BioFactors BioFactors Research Communication Authors Matthew Detering, Elizabeth Steels, Sundar Rao Koyyalamudi, Elena Allifranchini, Elena Bocchietto, Luis Vitetta First published: 19 October 2017Full publication history DOI: 10.1002/biof.1389 View/save citation Cited by (CrossRef): 0 articles Check for updates Citation tools Article has an altmetric score of 1 Abstract A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed the efficacy and safety of Ageratum conyzoides in treating benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). In this study, 109 men with medically diagnosed BPH, aged 41–76 years, were administered the investigational product, A. conyzoides extract at a dose of 250 mg/d or placebo, q.d. for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), daily urinary frequency and safety evaluations. The secondary outcome measures were testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, oestradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and cortisol levels, and prostate specific antigen (PSA), lipids, blood glucose, the Aging Male's Symptom (AMS) Score and sexual function assessed by Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning-Self Report (DISF-SR). The effect of A. conyzoides L extract on gene expression of 5-alpha-reductase in human prostate cells was also investigated to elucidate a potential mechanism of action. The clinical study, showed a significant reduction in total IPSS score (p < 0.01) and day- and night-time urinary frequency (P < 0.01) over time after treatment with A. conyzoides. Steroid hormones, SHBG, PSA levels, lipids, and blood glucose remained within healthy reference range in both groups. There were no changes in AMS or DISF-SR in either group. Gene arrays demonstrated that A. conyzoides extract was effective in reducing the expression of mRNA coding for 5-alpha-reductase types 2 and 1 in human prostate epithelial cells. The overall results indicate that A. conyzoides may be an effective treatment for reducing symptoms of BPH in healthy men, in part, through inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase enzyme activity. © 2017 BioFactors, 2017 Continue reading full article Ancillary Related content Articles related to the one you are viewing The articles below have been selected for you based on the article you are currently viewing. Influence of a Specialized Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Extract (Libifem), on Testosterone, Estradiol and Sexual Function in Healthy Menstruating Women, a Randomised Placebo Controlled Study Authors Amanda Rao, Elizabeth Steels, Gavin Beccaria, Warrick J. Inder, Luis Vitetta Published Date 24 April 2015 Resveratrol reduces the levels of circulating androgen precursors but has no effect on, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, PSA levels or prostate volume. A 4-month randomised trial in middle-aged men Authors Thomas Nordstrøm Kjær, Marie Juul Ornstrup, Morten Møller Poulsen, Jens Otto Lunde Jørgensen, David Michael Hougaard, Arieh Sierra Cohen, Shadman Neghabat, Bjørn Richelsen, Steen Bønløkke Pedersen Published Date 4 May 2015 Castration-like effects on the human prostate of a 5α-reductase inhibitor, finasteride Authors Jack Geller, Lida Sionit Published Date 1992 Physiological Aspects of Male Libido Enhanced by Standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum Extract and Mineral Formulation Authors Elizabeth Steels, Amanda Rao, Luis Vitetta Published Date 10 February 2011 5α-Reductase inhibitors and prostatic disease Authors Fritz H. Schröder Published Date August 1994