Cemilton

Cemilton , a product obtained from rye pollen, is an effective agent in the treatment of prostatic inflammatory disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia [139]. In 1995, DIBOA was identified as a constituent of the water soluble pollen extract [66]. The purified active fraction of Cemilton showed dose-dependent effects on DNA-synthesis in epithelial cells. At low concentrations, DNA synthesis was stimulated, indicated by a 300% increase in radiolabelled thymidine incorporation. Concentrations larger than 1 pg/ml resulted in an inhibition up to 80% after 5 days of exposure. Fibroblast cells react in a similar way and prostate DU 145 cells showed the same inhibition after treatment with the active fraction as they do after exposure to synthetic DIBOA. From the studies is was clear, that DIBOA must be causative for the effects of Cemilton. Cell growth inhibition was thought to be due to the chelating properties of the compound [67]. As demonstrated MCF-7 breast cancer-and COS-7-cells were inhibited as well [140]. From the morphology of treated DU-145 cells the authors concluded DIBOA-induced cell death. 

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