Selective inhibition of steroid 5 alpha-reductase isozymes by tea epicatechin-3-gallate and epigallocatechin-3-gallate

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1995 Sep 25;214(3):833-8. doi: 10.1006/bbrc.1995.2362.

Abstract

Inhibitors of 5 alpha-reductase may be effective in the treatment of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone-dependent abnormalities, such as benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate cancer and certain skin diseases. The green tea catechins, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (-)epicatechin-3-gallate, but not (-)epicatechin and (-)epigallocatechin, are potent inhibitors of type 1 but not type 2 5 alpha-reductase. (-)Epigallocatechin-3-gallate also inhibits accessory sex gland growth in the rat. These results suggest that certain tea gallates can regulate androgen action in target organs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors*
  • Animals
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Genitalia, Male / drug effects
  • Genitalia, Male / growth & development
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Microsomes / enzymology*
  • Microsomes, Liver / enzymology*
  • Prostate / drug effects
  • Prostate / enzymology
  • Prostate / growth & development
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Recombinant Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Seminal Vesicles / drug effects
  • Seminal Vesicles / growth & development
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tea*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tea
  • Catechin
  • epicatechin gallate
  • epigallocatechin gallate
  • 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase