Antiproliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells by a stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica) extract.
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.
Konrad
L
L
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany. Konrad@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Müller
H H
HH
Lenz
C
C
Laubinger
H
H
Aumüller
G
G
Lichius
J J
JJ
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*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts