Blocking Testosterone

[Mardok42]

In the last few days my pharmacist friend explained to me when you block testosterone with one herb it will only block its production from one or two gene pathways, and a lot of the pro-hormones (hormone precursors) will find another pathway to testosterone, but it does give it a little longer to possibly become an estrogen. So to have more effective herbs, block more pathways with different types of herbs. Here's what I got so far.

Below are the genes that are involved in testosterone syntheses, they are the ones that start with 'CYP'. I have begun to cross referenced them with known chemicals in herbs that are known to inhibit these genes. If you want to find a synergistic herbal combination you might want to find a few herbs with these chemicals or others in it to inhibit(block) the majority of this gene set.

This is by no means a comprehensive list because I only started this project a week ago in my free time. But I thought that there might be other science geeks out there that would like to poke around the gene websites too.

Genes Involved in Testosterone Syntheses with corsponding inhibitors.

CYP1A2(also makes an Estrogen)
CYP1B1(also makes an Estrogen)
CYP2B1– apigenin,Curcumin
CYP2B6– apigenin,Curcumin,Kaempferol
CYP2A3- lignans, genistein, Kaempferol
CYP2C11(Men Only)
CYP3A4 - lignans, Kaempferol, genistein, Curcumin
CYP3A5 - lignans, Kaempferol, genistein, Curcumin
CYP3A9 -
CYP19A1 -


Some Herbs and the anti androgen chemicals in them.

apigenin(chamomille)
Quercetin (chamomille)
genistein(Soy)
Curcumin(Vanalla, Turmeric)
Kaempferol(Peony, Dill)
lignans (Flax)


http://gbic.biol.rug.nl/~rbreitling/publications/HSD5Inhibition.pdf

http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/departments/nut/undergrad_class/Spr_2003_NST_120/A36.pdf

http://library2.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-04262007-161734/unrestricted/ErinBoydThesis.pdf

http://www.wikigenes.org/

[august]

I think Turmeric contains Curcumin - it is supposed to be anti-inflammatory and have other interesting health benefits . . . does this mean that perhaps Turmeric might be useful for controlling some of the genes/genetic pathways that are important in the production of testosterone?

[Mardok42]

I have not looked into Turmeric, but if it does contains Curcumin, then yes it will block some pathways to testosterone. I take a quick look to verify and add it to the list.

[alexrock23]

Testosterone receptors reside in the brain, and their role is to direct testosterone to targeted cells. When these receptors become blocked or bound, the body may experience a testosterone deficiency, due to the receptors being unable to alert the body to the need for more testosterone. Unblocking those receptors is one method of ensuring that the body is producing and using enough testosterone.

[Mardok42]

I think most people here would welcome a testosterone deficiency. When you say brain, I am assuming you mean hypothalamus, which is the organ that interfaces with the body and brain to control estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, ect.

The receptors of the hypothalamus accept both estrogens and testosterone (and other androgens). When an androgen binds to it, it will send a little GnRH out. If an Estrogen binds to it, it sends lots of GnRH out. Greater amouts of GnRH are needed for ovulation. You mentioned unblocking these receptors. How would you go about unblocking the receptors to accept estrogens instead of androgens?

As for hormone target control. The only control I am aware of is in the final hormone ratios that are left after production. If there is another please enlighten me. It is that final ratio that is the subject of the start of this thread.

The idea is to nudge production away from an androgen end result and push it to an estrogen by altering gene expression (enzymes directly produced from these genes).

The genes listed above are part of the Cytochrome P450 family (CYP) and are responsible for producing testosterone. By limiting the amount of enzymes each of these CYP genes produces it will give more opportunity for the pro-hormones to be converted to an estrogen then an androgen. Allowing a greater concentration of Estrogen instead of androgen at all the bodies receptors, not just the brain. Because body hair, scalp hair, breasts, vocal cords, and muscles all will act differently if an estrogen binds to their receptor in stead on an androgen, and we want the estrogen.

[Yalaris]

You really want to be careful with completely or mostly blocking these genes. Cytochrome P450 family is a functionally diverse group of enzymes, and I don't doubt that some may be a target for reduction in testosterone levels.

However...

The CYP19A1 gene encodes aromatase, which directly converts testosterone to estrogen.

Also, if you are concerned with the majority of the community, many of these genes have other roles to play during pregnancy and fetal development (CYP1B1).

Lastly, they are players in many, many drug metabolism pathways, including bupropion (CYP2B6).

You may wish to research these and other pathways that you are either inhibiting or activating with a deficiency in Cytochrome P450 family gene expression. The results may surprise you.

[Mardok42]

I was hoping someone would know a bit about it thank you.

[roderick0085]

To Mardok42, I'm new to this forum and just poking around. This new project you've taken on, is it to cure or just help for maintaining levels to control unwanted side effects?

[Mardok42]

The short answer is to just help with symptoms. The only cure I'm hoping for is with my wife. The big problem for a fix all, is that there is not one, nor will there ever be. PCOS is a symptom of a variety of endocrine issues. You can have PCOS for any of these reasons and then there are reasons within reasons.

Hypoglycemic
Hypoglycemic
Hyperthyroidism
hypothyroidism
low estrogen
high estrogen

Pretty much any imbalance either direction in the endocrine system can result in a disturbance of the menstreal cycle