Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment for prostate cancer, but it can lead to depression and increased psychological stress in patients. Emotional stress has been shown to promote the growth and metastasis of prostate cancer by altering the tumor microenvironment. Research has shown that emotional stress can increase the production of glucocorticoids (GCs), which bind to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and activate the transcription of genes like Per1. This activation enhances lipid metabolism in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and decreases the secretion of alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M), a protease inhibitor that can suppress tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has shown promise in treating depression-related conditions, including cancer.

Just a side note: kaempferol is also found in kale, spinach, and broccoli, apples, grapes, and strawberries, dill, chives, tarragon, green and black tea, just to name a few. I don’t know if the concentration is the same, but I imagine that most of us regularly consume these foods.

Preclinical studies have found that CSS can inhibit tumor growth and reduce depression-like behaviors by reprogramming lipid metabolism.

Kaempferol, a key active ingredient in CSS, has been identified as a potential therapeutic agent for prostate cancer metastasis. Kaempferol has been shown to:
● Enhance α2M secretion in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs)
● Inhibit prostate cancer cell migration
● Suppress the nuclear translocation of GR and the GR/PER1 pathway

These findings suggest that kaempferol could be a promising treatment for emotional stress-aggravated prostate cancer metastasis by targeting the GR/PER1 pathway and modulating lipid metabolism in TAMs. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action of kaempferol and to evaluate its efficacy and safety in clinical settings.

Source.