The Effect of Herbal Extracts on the Treatment and Prevention of Prostate Cancer: A Literature Review

Today, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men. Disorders of this gland have side effects on fertility and cause urinary problems. As people age, the prostate gland can have some problems, including benign hyperplasia and prostate cancer, which are caused by abnormal growth of the gland. Various natural supplements that affect the growth and proliferation of prostate cells have been found using epidemiological, laboratory, and clinical studies. With the help of findings from herbal medicine, the problems caused by prostate disorders can be controlled and treated largely. In this review article, the mechanism of action of some of these natural substances is considered including garden thyme, spirulina algae, Ruta graveolens L, wheat germ, nettle root extract Urtica dioica, lycopene, saw palmetto, garlic, curcumin, pumpkin seeds, green tea, and soy. The main functional mechanism of most of these plant extracts may be the inhibition of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which causes dihydrotestosterone to cause carcinogens in the prostate. The purpose of writing this article is to introduce and use some medicinal plants that help treat prostate cancer.