title: Inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase by the ellagitannins oenothein A and oenothein B from Epilobium species.
abstract: Species of the genus Epilobium (Onagraceae) have been investigated for their activity against 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase, two enzymes which are involved in the aetiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Activity-guided fractionation has led to the identification of two macrocyclic ellagitannins, oenothein A (1) and oenothein B (2), as the main constituents responsible for the inhibition of the two enzymes. Quantitation of oenothein B in 10 different species of Epilobium has shown that amounts of up to 14% in the crude plant extracts are possible.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Pharmacognosie et Phytochimie, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ducrey
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marston
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Göhring
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hostettmann
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D013634:Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D013634:Tannins; C080077:oenothein B; C071081:oenothein A