title: Antiproliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells by a stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica) extract.
abstract: In the present study the activity of a 20% methanolic extract of stinging nettle roots (Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae) on the proliferative activity of human prostatic epithelial (LNCaP) and stromal (hPCPs) cells was evaluated using a colorimetric assay. A concentration-dependent and significant (p < 0.05) antiproliferative effect of the extract was observed only on LNCaP cells during 7 days, whereas stromal cell growth remained unaltered. The inhibition was time-dependent with the maximum of growth reduction (30%) at a concentration of 1.0E-6 mg/ml on day 5 compared to the untreated control. On day 4 and 6, the reduction in proliferation of LNCaP cells showed the minimal effective dose at 1.0E-9 mg/ml. No cytotoxic effect of ME-20 on cell proliferation was observed. The antiproliferative effect of ME-20 of stinging nettle roots observed both in an in vivo model and in an in vitro system clearly indicates a biologically relevant effect of compounds present in the extract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany. Konrad@mailer.uni-marburg.de
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Konrad
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lenz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Laubinger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aumüller
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lichius
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts