The anti-androgen effect of ganoderol B isolated from the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum

Bioorg Med Chem. 2007 Jul 15;15(14):4966-72. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2007.04.036. Epub 2007 Apr 25.

Abstract

The anti-androgenic activity of the ethanol extract of the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum has been previously reported. Ganoderol B with 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity and the ability to bind to androgen receptor (AR) can inhibit androgen-induced LNCaP cell growth and suppress regrowth of the ventral prostate induced by testosterone in rats. The down-regulation of AR signaling by ganoderol B provides an important mechanism for its anti-androgenic activity. In view of the fact that PSA (prostatic specific antigen, a well-accepted prognostic indicator of prostate cancer) is down-regulated, an important implication of this study is that ganoderol B intervention strategy aimed at toning down the amplitude of androgen signaling could be helpful in controlling morbidity of prostate cancer. In conclusion, our result suggests that ganoderol B might be useful in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) therapy through suppressing the function of androgen and its receptor.

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Antagonists / chemistry*
  • Androgen Antagonists / isolation & purification
  • Androgen Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Androgens / genetics
  • Androgens / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Structure
  • Prostate / drug effects
  • Prostate / growth & development
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Rats
  • Reishi / chemistry*
  • Testosterone / pharmacology
  • Triterpenes / chemistry*
  • Triterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Androgens
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Triterpenes
  • ganoderol B
  • Testosterone
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen