Download PDF
Planta Med 1995; 61(1): 31-32
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957993
Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Effect of Extracts of the Roots of the Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) on the Interaction of SHBG with its Receptor on Human Prostatic Membranes

D. J. Hryb1 , M. S. Khan1 , N. A. Romas2 , W. Rosner1 , 3 , 4
  • 1Department of Medicine, St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, 1000 Tenth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019, U.S.A.
  • 2Department of Urology, St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, 1000 Tenth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019, U.S.A.
  • 3The College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University
  • 4(St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center)
Further Information

Publication History

1994

1994

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Extracts from the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) are used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The mechanisms underlying this treatment have not been elucidated. We set out to determine whether specific extracts from U. dioica had the ability to modulate the binding of sex hormone-binding globulin to its receptor on human prostatic membranes. Four substances contained in U. dioica were examined: an aqueous extract; an alcoholic extract; U. dioica agglutinin, and stigmasta-4-en-3-one. Of these, only the aqueous extract was active. It inhibited the binding of 125 I-SHBG to its receptor. The inhibition was dose related, starting at about 0.6 mg/ml and completely inhibited binding at 10 mg/ml.

Key words

Prostate - benign prostatic hypertrophy - sex hormone-binding globulin - SHBG - receptor - Urtica dioica - Urticaceae