Lignans from the Roots of Urtica dioica and their Metabolites Bind to Human Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)

Matthias Schöttner; Dietmar Ganßer; Gerhard Spiteller

doi:10.1055/s-2006-957756

Planta Medica, Table of Contents

Planta Med 1997; 63(6): 529-532
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957756

Papers

Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Lignans from the Roots of Urtica dioica and their Metabolites Bind to Human Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)

Matthias Schöttner¹ , Dietmar Ganßer² , Gerhard Spiteller¹

¹Lehrstuhl Organische Chemie I, Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
²Institut für Lebensmittelchemie, Universität Hannover, Wunstorfer Str. 14, D-30453 Hannover, Germany

Abstract

PDF Download

Abstract

Polar extracts of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) roots contain the lignans (+)-neoolivil, (-)-secoisolariciresinol, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, isolariciresinol, pinoresinol, and 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran. These compounds were either isolated from Urtica roots, or obtained semisynthetically. Their affinity to human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was tested in an in vitro assay. In addition, the main intestinal transformation products of plant lignans in humans, enterodiol and entero-lactone, together with enterofuran were checked for their activity. All lignans except (-)-pinoresinol developed a binding affinity to SHBG in the in vitro assay. The affinity of (-)-3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran was outstandingly high. These findings are discussed with respect to potential beneficial effects of plant lignans on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Key words

Urtica dioica - Urticaceae - roots - benign prostatic hyperplasia - BPH - sexual hormone binding globulin - SHBG - SBP - (+)-neoolivil - (-)-secoisolariciresinol - dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol - (-)-isolariciresinol - (-)-pinoresinol - (±)-enterodiol - (±)-enterolactone - (±)-enterofuran - (-)-3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran - (-)-shonanin

PDF (318 kb)