Polyprenol from the Whole Plants of Leucaena leucocephala

Ficaprenol-11 (polyprenol) (1), squalene (2), lupeol (3), ?-sitostenone (4), trans-coumaric acid (5), cis-coumaric acid (6) pheophytin-a (7), pheophorbide a methyl ester (8), methyl-132-hydroxy-(132-S)- pheophorbide-b (9) and aristo-phyll-C (10) were isolated from the whole plants of Leucaena leucocephala (Leguminosae). Among them, 1 and 2 was found for the first time from this species. The structure of these compounds were characterized and identified by spectra analyses.

Steroids from the Whole Plants of Leucaena Leucocephala

Four steroids, 5α,8α-epidioxy-(24ξ)-ergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (1), β-sitosterol (2), β-sitostenone (3), and stigmastenone (4), along with 10 known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Leucaena leucocephala (Leguminosae). 1, Lupeol (5), 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (6), methylparabene (8) and isovanillic acid (9) were found for the first time from the species. The structure of these compounds were characterized and identified by spectra analyses.

Capsaicin exerts anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia effects via inhibiting androgen receptor signaling pathway

Background:Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is a common condition in middle-aged and elderly men.Enlargement of the prostate causes lower urinary tract symptoms.Capsaicin is a phytochemical extracted from chili peppers and exerts many pharmacological actions,such as anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects.Methods:Our study investigated the effect of capsaicin in vitro and in a mouse model in vivo.A prostatic stromal myofibroblast cell line(WPMY-1)was co-incubated with testosterone(1µM)and different concentrations of capsaicin(10–100µM)for 24 and 48 h.Capsaicin(10–100µM)significantly inhibited testosterone-treated WPMY-1 cell growth at 48 h by MTT assay.The testosterone propionate(7.5 mg/kg)-induced BPH mouse model was used to examine the anti-proliferative effect of capsaicin.Treatment with capsaicin(10 mg/kg)for 14 days significantly attenuated prostatic hyperplasia.Finasteride was used as a positive control.Results:Capsaicin significantly decreased prostate weight and prostate index(prostate/body weight ratio)in BPH mice.The expression of 5α-reductase type II,androgen receptor(AR)and prostate specific antigen(PSA)protein expression and PSA serum were all significantly reduced in capsaicin-treated BPH mice.In addition,capsaicin also activated transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 mediated apoptosis and autophagy in BPH mice.Conclusion:These results demonstrate multiple positive effects of capsaicin in controlling prostate growth and suggest its therapeutic potential in the treatment of BPH.