Hairloss Study Abstract: Selective inhibition of steroid 5 alpha-reductase isozymes by tea epicatechin-3-gallate and epigallocatechin-3-gallate.
Title
Selective inhibition of steroid 5 alpha-reductase isozymes by tea epicatechin-3-gallate
and epigallocatechin-3-gallate.
Author
Liao S; Hiipakka RA
Address
Ben May Institute, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Source
Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1995 Sep 25, 214:3, 833-8
Abstract
Inhibitors of 5 alpha-reductase may be effective in the treatment of 5
alpha-dihydrotestosterone-dependent abnormalities, such as benign prostate hyperplasia,
prostate cancer and certain skin diseases. The green tea catechins,
(-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (-)epicatechin-3-gallate, but not (-)epicatechin and
(-)epigallocatechin, are potent inhibitors of type 1 but not type 2 5 alpha-reductase.
(-)Epigallocatechin-3-gallate also inhibits accessory sex gland growth in the rat. These
results suggest that certain tea gallates can regulate androgen action in target organs.