Steroid 5α-reductase inhibition by polymethoxyflavones

Abstract

Steroid 5α-reductase inhibition was studied using eleven polymethoxyflavones (PMFs). Homologous eleven PMFs showed wide range of steroid 5α-reductase inhibitory effects. Among the tested PMFs, 5-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavone (5) was found to be the most potent inhibitor of steroid 5α-reductase with the IC50 of 20 μM. These results showed PMFs could be used as a nonsteroidal steroid 5α-reductase for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. © 2013 The Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry.