Administration of extract of mushroom Phellinus linteus induces prostate enlargement with increase in stromal component in experimentally developed rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Exploring TGF-β signaling in benign prostatic hyperplasia: from cellular senescence to fibrosis and therapeutic implications

As men get older, they often develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate that is not cancerous or dangerous. Although the etiology of BPH is unknown, increasing evidence indicates that the TGF-β signaling pathway might be a key player in its pathogenesis. TGF-β is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix re-modeling, which are all dysregulated in BPH. Cellular senescence is primarily initiated by TGF-β--induced, irreversible growth arrest and usually limits the prostate gland's hyperplastic growth. Moreover, senescent cells generate a Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP), which consists of numerous proinflammatory and profibrotic factors that can worsen disease ontogeny. In addition, TGF-β is among the most fibrogenic factors. At the same time, fibrosis involves a massive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, which can increase tissue stiffness and a loss of normal organ functions. TGF-β-mediated fibrosis in BPH changes the mechanical properties of the prostate and surrounding tissues to contribute to lower urinary tract symptoms. This review discusses the complicated molecular signaling of TGF-β underlying changes in cellular senescence and fibrosis during BPH concerning its therapeutic potential.

Traditional uses, fermentation, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Phellinus linteus: A review

Medicinal mushroom Phellinus linteus ("Sanghuang" in Chinese, ) is a famous fungus which is widely used in China, Korea, and other Asian countries. As a traditional Chinese medicine with a 2000-year long history, medicinal applications of Phellinus linteus mainly include treating hemorrhage, hemostasis and diseases related to female menstruation according to Chinese clinical empirical practice. A number of studies reported Phellinus linteus possessed good therapeutic effects on various ailments including tumor, diabetes, inflammation, obesity, etc. The present paper comprehensively reviewed the traditional uses, fermentation, constituent and pharmacology of Phellinus linteus based on scientific literature as well as critical analysis of the research. This review aimed to provide latest information and new foundations and directions for further investigations on Phellinus linteus. All available information about Phellinus linteus was supplied by library database and electronic search (CNKI, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, etc.). Some local and ancient books as well as brilliant scholars were also important information resources. Improvement of fermentation techniques promoted the production of Phellinus linteus. Studies of constituents showed the main chemical composition of Phellinus linteus included polysaccharides, flavones, triterpenes, aromatic acids, amino acids, etc. and polysaccharides were found to account for the largest proportion. Pharmacological researches revealed Phellinus linteus possessed a variety of biological activities including anti-cancer, immuno-regulation, anti-diabetes, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. Based on these summarized information, this review was presented to provide helpful references and beneficial directions for future studies of Phellinus linteus.

Orally administered mycelial culture of Phellinus linteus exhibits antitumor effects in hepatoma cell-bearing mice

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effect of a mycelial culture from Phellinus linteus PL-7 (MCPL-7) and to elucidate its potential mechanism in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SCID CB-17 mice received a transplant of Hep3B cells followed by daily MCPL-7 administrations for 8 weeks. Following tumor implantation, groups C-E were subcutaneously administered 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, or 250 mg/kg MCPL-7 powder per day, respectively, for 8 weeks. Groups A and B received saline solution subcutaneously for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

MCPL-7 administration induced a significant reduction in tumor size and was associated with a significant increase in T cell numbers; IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion; NK cell activity; and phagocytic ability. Therefore, increased numbers of CD4(+) cells could have been caused by greater numbers of dendritic cells and macrophages in the spleen. Furthermore, the activation of dendritic cells and macrophages resulted in increased IL-12 secretion, which could upregulate NK cell activation. The increased secretion of IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α enhanced the activity and phagocytic ability of NK cells. Thus, MCPL-7 may provide a potential therapeutic approach for both immunomodulatory and antitumor effects.

What patients take without telling you: holistic approach for BPH

The use of botanicals and supplements have markedly increased in men that are seeking increased protection against the potential onset and symptomatic relief of lower urinary tract symptoms that are commonly experienced with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). While this implies a positive trend and considers that men are taking a more active role in health and prevention, dialog between the patient and the clinician is often deficient. This may be due to a number of factors including both the patients' inability to report about the use of certain agents and the clinicians' inability to ask. Moreover, the sense that natural agents may lack side effects coupled with ineffective communication between the doctor and patient could result in potential adverse interactions. We have performed a comprehensive search of articles published from 1990 to 2005 using the Medline databases in order examine clinical data on the most commonly researched herbs for BPH. We provide a brief update on the state of the research.