Anti-androgenic activities of the triterpenoids fraction of Ganoderma lucidum

The ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum showed inhibitory activity on both isozymes (types 1 and 2) of 5α-reductase and suppression effects of ventral prostate growth induced by testosterone in castrated rat, but not induced by dihydrotestosterone. Activity-guided fractionation and TLC analysis suggested that the active principles in vivo were triterpenoids. These results indicate that the triterpenoids fraction of G. lucidum might be a useful ingredient in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.