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Background: Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among men, contributing significantly to the global cancer burden. Several communities, especially in developing countries, have resorted to herbal remedies due to perceived potency and minimal side compared to standard cancer agents.
Aim: The study sought to assess the antiprostate cancer potential of the stem bark extract of Z. rhetsa and its metabolites.
Method: In vitro antiprostatic carcinoma activity of the extract (10 µg/mL), five of its metabolites and reference drug abiraterone (10 µM) was done on the cell lines LNCaP, PC-3, DU-145, 22Rv1, VCaP and RWPE-1 using Alamar blue assay.
Results: The extract significantly reduced cell viability in the androgen sensitive cancer cells LNCaP, VCaP and 22rv1 (15-35%) compared to Abiraterone (42-82%) but showed lower activities in the resistant cells DU_145 and PC3 (72 and 62% respectively). The metabolites sesamin and lupenone however showed better activity against DU 145 and PC3 (41-53, 52-57% respectively). The extract, abiraterone, sitosterol/stigmasterol were non-toxic to RWPE-1 with sesamin, lupenone and lupeol being moderately toxic.
Conclusion: Z. rhetsa and some of its compounds have shown promising anti-prostate cancer activities. This gives credence to it use in the management of various cancers in Traditional Medicine and it potential for further development of anti-prostate cancer drug candidates.