Determination of oenothein B as the active 5-alpha-reductase-inhibiting principle of the folk medicine Epilobium parviflorum

D Lesuisse; J Berjonneau; C Ciot; P Devaux; B Doucet; J F Gourvest; B Khemis; C Lang; R Legrand; M Lowinski; P Maquin; A Parent; B Schoot; G Teutsch

doi:10.1021/np960231c

Determination of oenothein B as the active 5-alpha-reductase-inhibiting principle of the folk medicine Epilobium parviflorum

J Nat Prod. 1996 May;59(5):490-2. doi: 10.1021/np960231c.

Authors

D Lesuisse¹, J Berjonneau, C Ciot, P Devaux, B Doucet, J F Gourvest, B Khemis, C Lang, R Legrand, M Lowinski, P Maquin, A Parent, B Schoot, G Teutsch

Affiliation

¹ Centre de Recherche ROUSSEL UCLAF, Roumainville, France.

PMID: 8778238
DOI: 10.1021/np960231c

Abstract

Several extracts from Epilobium parviflorum, a plant used in Central Europe for the treatment of prostate disorders, were evaluated in a biochemical assay with 5-alpha-reductase. The aqueous extract displaying inhibition of the enzyme was analyzed, the fraction responsible for this activity was purified, and the active compound identified as a macrocyclic tannin, oenothein B (1).

MeSH terms

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors*
Austria
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Enzyme Inhibitors / isolation & purification*
Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
Humans
Hydrolyzable Tannins*
In Vitro Techniques
Male
Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
Prostate / enzymology
Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
Tannins / analysis
Tannins / pharmacology*

Substances

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
Enzyme Inhibitors
Hydrolyzable Tannins
Tannins
oenothein B