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An update on plant derived anti-androgens
1Department of Endocrinology, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
|July 12, 2013
Summary
This review explores anti-androgen medications and plant-derived compounds for conditions like PCOS and prostate cancer. Emerging evidence supports natural agents such as spearmint tea for managing androgen-related health issues.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Herbal Medicine
Background:
- Androgen hormones play a role in various conditions, including PCOS, hirsutism, acne, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer.
- Anti-androgen drugs and compounds are used to reduce androgen levels or activity.
- Plant-derived compounds are gaining recognition for their potential anti-androgen effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of anti-androgen medications in clinical practice.
- To explore the benefits of plant-derived anti-androgens.
- To discuss the emerging evidence for natural agents in managing androgen-related disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of anti-androgen drugs and plant-derived compounds.
- Discussion of clinical applications and emerging scientific evidence.
- Focus on specific agents like spearmint tea, red reishi, licorice, green tea, black cohosh, chaste tree, and saw palmetto.
Main Results:
- Spearmint tea shows emerging evidence for PCOS management.
- Red reishi and green tea inhibit 5-alpha reductase, reducing DHT conversion.
- Licorice reduces testosterone, Chinese peony promotes aromatization, and black cohosh shows anti-cancer effects.
- Chaste tree reduces prolactin; saw palmetto showed no difference vs. placebo in trials.
Conclusions:
- Anti-androgens are crucial for managing various hormone-related conditions.
- Plant-derived compounds offer a promising avenue for natural androgen management.
- Further research is needed to validate the efficacy of many botanical anti-androgens.
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