Effects of stinging nettle root extracts and their steroidal components on the Na+,K(+)-ATPase of the benign prostatic hyperplasia

Planta Med. 1994 Feb;60(1):30-3. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-959402.

Abstract

The effects of organic-solvent extracts of Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) on the Na+,K(+)-ATPase of the tissue of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were investigated. The membrane Na+,K(+)-ATPase fraction was prepared from a patient with BPH by a differential centrifugation of the tissue homogenate. The enzyme activity was inhibited by 10(-4)-10(-5) M of ouabain. The hexane extract, the ether extract, the ethyl acetate extract, and the butanol extract of the roots caused 27.6-81.5% inhibition of the enzyme activity at 0.1 mg/ml. In addition, a column extraction of stinging nettle roots using benzene as an eluent afforded efficient enzyme inhibiting activity. Steroidal components in stinging nettle roots, such as stigmast-4-en-3-one, stigmasterol, and campesterol inhibited the enzyme activity by 23.0-67.0% at concentrations ranging from 10(-3)-10(-6) M. These results suggest that some hydrophobic constituents such as steroids in the stinging nettle roots inhibited the membrane Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity of the prostate, which may subsequently suppress prostate-cell metabolism and growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Phytosterols / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal* / chemistry
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / enzymology*
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / drug effects*

Substances

  • Phytosterols
  • Plant Extracts
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase