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Planta Med 2003; 69(9): 856-858
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-43222
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Antiandrogenic Activity of the Phytoestrogens Naringenin, 6-(1,1-Dimethylallyl)naringenin and 8-Prenylnaringenin

Oliver Zierau1 , Colm Morrissey2 , R. William G. Watson2 , Pia Schwab3 , Susanne Kolba1 , Peter Metz3 , Günter Vollmer1
  • 1Institut für Zoologie, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
  • 2Department of Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, Dublin Molecular Medicine Centre, University College Dublin, Ireland
  • 3Institut für Organische Chemie, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Colm Morrissey was funded by an EU (E)UROESTROGEN(E)S grant contract no: QLK6-CT-2000-00565. This paper was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Vo410/6 - 1 to Günter Vollmer
Further Information

Publication History

Received: February 19, 2003

Accepted: April 26, 2003

Publication Date:
04 November 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Naturally occurring naringenin derivatives, known for their estrogenic activity, were tested in two independent (anti-)androgen screening assays. Using a yeast-based androgen receptor assay relatively strong antiandrogen activities were demonstrated for 6-(1,1-dimethylallyl)naringenin and 8-prenylnaringenin, while the parent compound naringenin did not show recognizable antiandrogen activity. In an androgen receptor activity assay based on the analysis of prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations in the supernatants of treated PC3(AR)2 cells the antiandrogenic activity of 6-(1,1-dimethylallyl)naringenin was detected at concentrations of 10-5 M. 8-Prenylnaringenin or naringenin have no detectable antiandrogenic effect. In summary, for the first time we provide evidence of the antiandrogenic activity of 6-DMA-N in two independent model systems. In conclusion, we demonstrated the ability of prenylated naringenins not only to act via the estrogen receptor but also through the androgen receptor.

Abbreviations

DHT:dihydrotestosterone

PSA:prostate-specific antigen

Bic:bicalutamide

6-DMA-N:6-(1,1-dimethylallyl)naringenin

8-P-N:8-prenylnaringenin

E2:17-β estradiol

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Dr. Oliver Zierau

Technische Universität Dresden

Institut für Zoologie

Zellescher Weg 20

01217 Dresden

Germany

Phone: +49-351-46 33 78 41

Fax: +49-351-46 3319 23

Email: Oliver.Zierau@mailbox.tu-dresden.de