Synergistic effect of Zyflamend® and hormone ablation therapy on prostate cancer regression: adjuvant therapy for standard care

Abstract

Zyflamend® is an extract of 10 medicinal herbs. We demonstrate that Zyflamend® may be an effective treatment for prostate cancer when used with hormone ablation therapy (HAT) to induce tumor regression and disease remission. We examined the mechanisms responsible for the synergistic effects of Zyflamend® and HAT in vivo. Human prostate cancer cells (CWR22) were seeded into sixty nude mice and randomly divided into two dietary groups. Following tumor growth, testosterone was withdrawn (HAT) to induce regression and mice were placed on diets ± Zyflamend® at a human equivalent dose. Zyflamend® significantly enhanced tumor regression (p<0.0001) and the response was more consistent compared to controls (R2=0.998). In vitro, Zyflamend® inhibited CWR22Rv1 prostate cancer cells growth in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, by increasing cell cycle inhibitors, p21 and p27, mediated by the MAPK (Erk and JNK) and AKT pathways, along with reducing pro‐tumorigenic androgen receptor and insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor‐a. Finally, Zyflamend® increased apoptosis in a caspase‐dependent manner (↓ procaspase‐3 expression). These results suggest Zyflamend® provides an additive advantage against prostate cancer progression and increases tumor regression when used with HAT via multiple molecular actions. The research was funded by New Chapter, Inc. Brattleboro, VT and the TN Agricultural Experiment Station.Grant Funding SourceNewChapter, Inc.