Ursolic acid reduces prostate size and dihydrotestosterone level in a rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Effects of Taraxaci Herba (Dandelion) on Testosterone Propionate-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the non-malignant enlargement of the prostate, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs). Taraxaci Herba (TH), commonly known as dandelion, has traditionally been utilized in East Asia to treat symptoms related to LUTSs. Based on this traditional use, our study aimed to explore the inhibitory effects of TH on BPH progression using a testosterone propionate-induced rat model. To induce BPH, male Sprague Dawley rats were castrated and injected subcutaneously with testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. Concurrently, TH extract was administered orally at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg/day throughout the four-week period of testosterone propionate injections. The TH extract significantly reduced both the absolute and relative weights of the prostate, along with histopathological changes in the gland. Moreover, it lowered serum levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and reduced the expression of the androgen receptor in the prostate. Additionally, the TH extract modulated the protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2, which are key regulators of apoptosis in prostate cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that TH inhibits BPH development partially by modulating androgen signaling and inducing apoptosis within the prostate.

Multidirectional Effects of Terpenoids from Sorbus intermedia (EHRH.) PERS Fruits in Cellular Model of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disease affecting aging men. Its pathogenesis is regarded as complex and multifactorial, with sex hormones and inflammation as key contributory factors. In the current study, we investigated the anti-BPH potential of terpenoids present in the fruits of Sorbus intermedia (EHRH.) PERS. Not only the effects on testosterone-stimulated normal prostate epithelial PNT2 cells, namely suppression of 5-α-reductase activity, PSA secretion, and cell proliferation, were determined but also the inhibitory activity on heat-induced protein denaturation, hyaluronidase, as well as IL-6, TNF-α, and NO release in LPS-treated macrophages. Sorbus terpenoids significantly inhibited 5-α-reductase activity and reduced PSA secretion in PNT2 cells, reversing the stimulatory effect of testosterone. PNT2 cell proliferation was also found to be attenuated. Subsequently, all compounds reduced the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, ursolic acid (UA) and its aldehyde (UAL) were the most potent hyaluronidase inhibitors of all compounds, with IC₅₀ values of 225.75 µg/mL and 369.77 µg/mL, respectively. For better understanding and interpretation of the overall effect of Sorbus terpenoids on different aspects of BPH pathogenesis and development, cluster analysis was applied.

Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) modulates some parameters of testosterone propionate-induced rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The increased global prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the promising potentials of functional foods in ameliorating it led to this study which reported the effect of aqueous ethanol extract of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) tuber on some biochemical indices in testosterone propionate (TP) induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rats. Thirty male albino rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 (negative control) received 3 mg/kg of TP and normal saline, group 2 (positive control) received 3 mg/kg of TP and 5 mg/kg of finasteride; groups 3, 4, and 6 rats received 3 mg/kg of TP and 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ethanol extracts of cocoyam respectively while group 5 (normal control) received olive oil + normal saline. The study lasted for 28 days. The negative control had increased prostate weight (p < 0.05), decreased body weight gain, prostatic superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione concentrations; no differences (p > 0.05) in the serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, Very Low Density Lipoprotein, High Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoprotein concentration but increased (p < 0.05) prostate levels of interleukin 10, prostate specific antigen, testosterone, total proteins and malondialdehyde relative to the normal control. Finasteride or the C. esculenta tuber extract modulated most of these parameters as corroborated by histology of the prostate. The percentage yield of the C. esculenta tuber extract was 1.56% and 23 phenolic compounds were characterized in the tuber. The study showed the potentials of C. esculenta tuber in the management of BPH.

Comparative application of testosterone undecanoate and/or testosterone propionate in induction of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Wistar rats

Testosterone undecanoate is a hormone agent with long-acting potential and is used for testosterone replacement therapy for hypogonadism. This study was designed to investigate application of testosterone undecanoate in maintaining high androgen levels for inducing benign prostatic hyperplasia more conveniently than that for testosterone propionate. We conducted two-part studies to determine the optimal dosage and dosing cycle for efficient and stable induction of benign prostatic hyperplasia using testosterone undecanoate. In the injection dosage substudy, single testosterone undecanoate dose (125, 250, 500, 750, or 1000 mg/kg body weight) was administered, and the optimal concentration was determined for 8weeks by measuring changes in testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and 5-alpha reductase levels. And then, testosterone undecanoate was administered at the optimal dose at intervals of 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks for 12weeks to induce benign prostatic hyperplasia. The injection dosage substudy showed dose-dependently higher and more stable levels of testosterone in groups administrated testosterone undecanoate than in groups administered testosterone propionate. In the injection cycle substudy, testosterone undecanoate-administered group stably maintained high levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and 5-alpha reductase compared with testosterone propionate-administered group for the same injection cycle; moreover, the prostate measurements, an important sign of benign prostatic hyperplasia, were significantly increased. Based on these two substudies, we determined the optimal conditions for inducing benign prostatic hyperplasia stably and more conveniently than that for testosterone propionate. This study suggests an extended application of testosterone undecanoate for inducing benign prostatic hyperplasia that can improve research reliability considering the half-life of testosterone as well as injection dosage and concentration.

Astaxantin and Isoflavones Inhibit Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Normalizing Ca/Mg Balance

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common pathology among aging men. Despite the broad pharmacological interventions, the available remedies to treat BPH are yet not devoid of side effects. Herbal compounds are suggested to be an alternative option for the BPH treatment. In our study, we evaluated the effect of kudzu isoflavones and astaxanthin on the BPH animal model. The animals were randomly divided into five groups: control; testosterone-induced BPH group; and three BPH-induced groups, which received intragastrically for 28 days finasteride (5 mg/kg) as a positive control, isoflavones (200 mg/kg), and astaxanthin (25 mg/kg). BPH was induced by castration of animals and subsequent subcutaneous injections of prolonged testosterone (25 mg/kg). Prostate index and histology, biochemical parameters, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. A significant decrease in prostate weight, immunohistochemical markers, and normalization of prostate Ca/Mg ratio was found in all treatment groups. Astaxanthin treatment also resulted in decreased epithelial proliferation and normalized superoxide dismutase activity. In conclusion, both isoflavones and astaxanthin inhibited BPH development at a level comparable to finasteride in terms of prostate weight, prostatic epithelium proliferation, and prostate tissue cumulative histology score. These results suggest that isoflavones and especially astaxanthin could serve as a potential alternative therapy to treat BHP.

Role of Plant-Derived Natural Compounds in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: A Review of the Treatment Potential and Development Strategy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that is mainly mediated by pathological T-cells. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a well-known animal model of MS that is used to study the underlying mechanism and offers a theoretical basis for developing a novel therapy for MS. Good therapeutic effects have been observed after the administration of natural compounds and their derivatives as treatments for EAE. However, there has been a severe lag in the research and development of drug mechanisms related to MS. This review examines natural products that have the potential to effectively treat MS. The relevant data were consulted in order to elucidate the regulated mechanisms acting upon EAE by the flavonoids, glycosides, and triterpenoids derived from natural products. In addition, novel technologies such as network pharmacology, molecular docking, and high-throughput screening have been gradually applied in natural product development. The information provided herein can help improve targeting and timeliness for determining the specific mechanisms involved in natural medicine treatment and lay a foundation for further study.

Kaempferol inhibits benign prostatic hyperplasia by resisting the action of androgen

Kaempferol is a natural compound that inhibits tumor development in androgenic related prostate cancer. However, it is still not clear about its phyto-androgenic activity and whether it suppresses testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) development. In this study, molecular docking, cellular immunofluorescence staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter assay were performed to investigate the androgenic activity of kaempferol. Dihydrotestosterone-induced gene expression and cell proliferation were further analyzed upon treatment with kaempferol. Testosterone-induced BPH was established in rats and the effect and mechanism of action of kaempferol on BPH development was then assessed. Docking data showed that kaempferol could bind to ASN705 and THR877 residues of androgen receptor which were also the binding sites of dihydrotestosterone. The nuclear translocation of androgen receptor was promoted directly by kaempferol in androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells. In addition, the in vivo interaction of androgen receptor with PSA promoter region and the transcriptional activity of androgen receptor were both significantly enhanced after kaempferol stimulation. However, kaempferol pretreatment suppressed dihydrotestosterone-induced effects including the transcriptional activity of androgen receptor, the expressions of PSA and AR genes and cell proliferation of LNCaP, BPH-1 and WPMY-1 cells. Consistently, kaempferol declined the prostate index and improved the pathological properties in BPH rats, and the up-regulated T level in serum from BPH rats was highly decreased after kaempferol administration. Kaempferol exhibited its androgenic-like activity and served as a selective androgen receptor modulator that contributes to androgen-related BPH development.

Anti-Proliferative Effects of Standardized Cornus officinalis on Benign Prostatic Epithelial Cells via the PCNA/E2F1-Dependent Cell Cycle Pathway

Cornus officinalis, widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits pharmacological effects against erectile dysfunction and pollakisuria, which are pathological symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although traditional usage and a study on BPH have been reported, to our knowledge, no study has investigated the exact molecular mechanism(s) underlying the anti-proliferative effects of standardized C. officinalis on prostatic cells. We standardized C. officinalis 30% ethanol extract (COFE) and demonstrated the therapeutic effects of COFE on human BPH epithelial cells and testosterone-induced BPH in rats. In vitro studies using BPH-1 cells demonstrated an upregulation of BPH-related and E2F Transcription Factor 1(E2F1)-dependent cell cycle markers, whereas treatment with COFE clearly inhibited the proliferation of BPH epithelial cells and reduced the overexpression of G1 and S checkpoint genes. Additionally, COFE administration alleviated the androgen-dependent prostatic enlargement in a testosterone-induced BPH animal model. COFE exerted these anti-BPH effects by the inhibition of anti-apoptotic markers, suppression of PCNA expression, and regulation of E2F1/pRB-dependent cell cycle markers in rats with BPH. These results suggest that COFE exerts anti-proliferative effect by regulating PCNA/E2F1-dependent cell cycle signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. These findings reveal the therapeutic potential of COFE, which could be used as a substitute for BPH treatment.

Amelioration of testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia using febuxostat in rats: The role of VEGF/TGFβ and iNOS/COX-2

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common male disorder. Febuxostat is a non-purine, selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase (XO), which has a strong antioxidant capacity and pleiotropic pharmacological properties. This study's objective was to explore the potential ameliorative effects of febuxostat against testosterone-induced BPH in rats. Febuxostat (10 mg/kg/day, per os [p.o.]) prevented increased prostate index levels, serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and testosterone levels compared to animals treated with testosterone alone, when administered for 28 days. Histological examination indicated that febuxostat dramatically ameliorated pathological changes in the prostate architecture compared to the testosterone group. Similarly, febuxostat markedly improved testosterone-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting the increase in lipid peroxide and nitrite content, and by reducing the level of depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, which significantly reduced the prostate content of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Furthermore, febuxostat significantly reduced the prostatic content, both in terms of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels, and of protein levels. Moreover, compared to the testosterone group, febuxostat's beneficial effects prevented the increase in growth factors, comprising vascular endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGF-A) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) protein levels. Its ameliorating effects were equal to those of finasteride, which is the most widely used remedy for BPH. In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence that febuxostat experimentally attenuates testosterone-induced BPH in rats, at least in part by inhibiting iNOS/COX-2 and VEGF/TGF-β pathways.

Effect of acetogenin fraction of Annona muricata leaves on antioxidant status and some indices of benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

Objectives: This work investigated the effect of acetogenin-rich fraction of Annona muricata leaves (AFAL) on antioxidant status and some markers of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats.

Methods: BPH was experimentally induced in the rats by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate (TP, 3 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days. The rats were administered orally different doses of AFAL (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 7 days. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate weight, relative prostate weight, prostate protein content and oxidative stress indices of the rats were evaluated.

Results: It was observed that 200 mg/kg AFAL significantly reduced the PSA level, mean prostate weights and mean relative prostate weights of the test rats compared to the TP group, and the values were not significantly different from the normal control and group treated with a standard drug. The plant extract also significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the test rats which were evidently compromised in the group that received the exogenous hormone alone. Histopathology of the prostate showed a marked recovery for the test rats after treatment with AFAL.

Conclusion: Oral administration of acetogenin-rich fraction of Annona muricata leaves ameliorated TP-induced BPH in rats and significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the rats.

Protective effects of combination of Stauntonia hexaphylla and Cornus officinalis on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia through inhibition of 5α- reductase type 2 and induced cell apoptosis

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive pathological condition associated with proliferation of prostatic tissues, prostate enlargement, and lower-urinary tract symptoms. However, the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of BPH is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of a combination of Stauntonia hexaphylla and Cornus officinalis (SC extract) on a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH model. The effect of SC extract was examined in a TP-induced human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6) for in vivo experiments. To induce BPH, all rats, except those in the control group, were administered daily with subcutaneous injections of TP (5 mg/kg) and orally treated with appropriate phosphate buffered saline/drugs (finasteride/saw palmetto/SC extract) for 4 consecutive weeks. SC extract significantly downregulated the androgen receptor (AR), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and 5α-reductase type 2 in TP-induced BPH in vitro. In in vivo experiments, SC extract significantly reduced prostate weight, size, serum testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels. Histologically, SC extract markedly recovered TP-induced abnormalities and reduced prostatic hyperplasia, thereby improving the histo-architecture of TP-induced BPH rats. SC extract also significantly downregulated AR and PSA expression, as assayed using immunoblotting. Immunostaining revealed that SC extract markedly reduced the 5α-reductase type 2 and significantly downregulated the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In addition, immunoblotting of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family proteins indicated that SC extract significantly downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and markedly upregulated pro-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-associated X (Bax) expression. Furthermore, SC treatment significantly decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, indicating induced prostate cell apoptosis in TP-induced BPH rats. Thus, our findings demonstrated that SC extract protects against BPH by inhibiting 5α-reductase type 2 and inducing prostate cell apoptosis. Therefore, SC extract might be useful in the clinical treatment of BPH.

Amelioration of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Costunolide and Dehydrocostus Lactone in Wistar Rats

Purpose

Sesquiterpene lactones, which are found in plants of the Asteraceae family, contain costunolide (CO) and dehydrocostus lactone (DCL) as indicator material. CO, in particular, has been reported to possess varied pharmacological activity, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. This study was designed to characterize the effects of CO and DCL on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Materials and Methods

Rats were injected subcutaneously daily for 8 weeks with 5 mg/kg testosterone to induce prostatic hyperplasia. Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 animals each and received the following treatment: I. Normal control group; II. BPH-induced group; III. CO group (0.075 mg/kg); IV. DCL group (0.075 mg/kg); and V. Finasteride group (0.8 mg/kg). After treatment, changes in prostate weight and serum biochemical indices, serum dihydrotestosterone level, and mRNA levels of BCL2 were measured and histological examinations performed.

Results

Absolute and relative prostate weight in the indicator material treated groups, as well as prostate volume, decreased compared to those in the disease-induced group. Epithelial cell thickness increased significantly in the disease-induced group, with a significant decrease being observed in the CO group. The level of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) tended to decrease to a greater extent in the DCL group than in the disease-induced group.

Conclusions

In this study, we confirmed that the indicator materials (CO and DCL) can help suppress the development of BPH.

Gamma Irradiated Rhodiola sachalinensis Extract Ameliorates Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Downregulating 5-Alpha Reductase and Restoring Testosterone in Rats

The effect of Rhodiola sachalinensis Boriss extract irradiated with 50 kGy gamma rays (HKC) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was investigated. Seven-week-old male SD rats received a subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) to induce BPH. Then, the testosterone only group received testosterone, the testosterone + finasteride group received testosterone and finasteride (5 mg/kg), the testosterone + HKC group received testosterone and HKC extract (500 mg/kg). Prostate weight and the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in serum or prostate tissue were determined. The mRNA expressions of 5-alpha reductase (AR) in prostate tissue were also measured. Compared to the control group, prostate weight was significantly improved in the TP group and decreased in the HKC and finasteride-treated groups. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of 5-AR in the prostate was significantly reduced in the HKC and finasteride-treated groups. Similarly, the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cytokeratin, which are associated with prostatic enlargement in the HKC and finasteride groups, were much lower than in the TP group. HKC treatment showed similar efficacy to finasteride treatment on rats with testosterone-induced BPH. HKC may be explored as a potential new drug for BPH treatment.

Cynomorium songaricum Rupr demonstrates phytoestrogenic or phytoandrogenic like activities that attenuates benign prostatic hyperplasia via regulating steroid 5-α-reductase

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. (CS) belongs to the genus of parasitic perennial flowering plants, mostly used in Chinese traditional medicine for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment. BPH is a chronic disease in men that both androgen and estrogen play a crucial role in promoting its development via their receptors. Previously we have showed that compounds from CS have the phytoestrogenic and/or phytoandrogenic activities that may have the potential suppressive effects on BPH, while the mechanism remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of CS and its derived compounds: luteolin (LUT), gallic acid (GA), protocatechuic acid (PA) and protocatechualdehyde (Pra) on inhibition of rat BPH and proliferation of BPH-1 cell line respectively, and further uncover whether it is related with the phytoestrogenic and / or phytoandrogenic activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Estradiol/testosterone (1:100) was subcutaneous injected to induce BPH in a castrated rat model, and CS was orally administrated for 45 days. Then the weights of the body and prostate were recorded, the pathogenesis changes of prostate were analyzed by Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical (IHC). The levels of 17β-estradiol (E₂), testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from rats' serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In vitro, human benign prostatic epithelial cell BPH-1 was cultured and treated with or without different CS compounds and DHT or E₂. MTT and CCK-8 assays were performed to detect the regulatory effects on cell proliferation. The expressions of PCNA, AR, ERα, ERβ, and steroid 5-α-reductases (SRD5A1 and SRD5A2) were further analyzed by western blotting upon treatment.

RESULTS

Treatment with CS significantly inhibited rat prostate enlargement, improved the pathological feature and reduced the thickness of smooth muscle layer. The up-regulated AR and ERα expressions and down-regulated ERβ in BPH rat prostate were significantly blocked after CS administration. Moreover, the enhanced values of E₂/testosterone and the level of DHT in serum were also strongly inhibited in CS group compared with those in BPH groups. In cellular level, LUT, GA, PA, or Pra significantly inhibited DHT- or E₂- induced BPH-1 cell proliferation and PCNA expressions. Consistently with the data in vivo, compounds from CS interfered the DHT or E₂-regulated AR, ERα and ERβ expressions in BPH-1 cells as well. Importantly, the dramatic increased SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 expressions were observed in BPH rat prostates and DHT or E₂-stimulated BPH-1 cells. However, treatment with CS in rat or with compounds isolated from CS in BPH-1 cells significantly blocked the induction of SRD5A1 and SRD5A2.

CONCLUSIONS

CS suppressed BPH development through interfering with prostatic AR, ERα/β, and SRD5A1/2 expressions, which provided evidence of CS for BPH treatment.

The new paradigm for androgenetic alopecia and plant-based folk remedies: 5α-reductase inhibition, reversal of secondary microinflammation and improving insulin resistance

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Research in the past half a century has gradually sketched the biological mechanism leading to androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Until recently the aetiological paradigm has been too limited to enable intelligent commentary on the use of folk remedies to treat or reduce the expression of this condition. However, our understanding is now at a point where we can describe how some folk remedies work, predict how effective they will be or why they fail.

RESULTS

The new paradigm of AGA is that inheritance and androgens (dihydrotestosterone) are the primary contributors and a secondary pathology, microinflammation, reinforces the process at more advanced stages of follicular miniaturisation. The main protagonist to microinflammation is believed to be microbial or Demodex over-colonisation of the infundibulum of the pilosebaceous unit, which can be ameliorated by antimicrobial/acaricidal or anti-inflammatory therapies that are used as adjuvants to androgen dependent treatments (either synthetic or natural). Furthermore, studies reveal that suboptimal androgen metabolism occurs in both AGA and insulin resistance (low SHBG or high DHT), suggesting comorbidity. Both can be ameliorated by dietary phytochemicals, such as specific classes of phenols (isoflavones, phenolic methoxy abietanes, hydroxylated anthraquinones) or polycyclic triterpenes (sterols, lupanes), by dual inhibition of key enzymes in AGA (5α-reductase) and insulin resistance (ie., DPP-4 or PTP1B) or agonism of nuclear receptors (PPARγ). Evidence strongly indicates that some plant-based folk remedies can ameliorate both primary and secondary aetiological factors in AGA and improve insulin resistance, or act merely as successful adjuvants to mainstream androgen dependent therapies.

CONCLUSION

Thus, if AGA is viewed as an outcome of primary and secondary factors, then it is better that a 'multimodal' or 'umbrella' approach, to achieve cessation and/or reversal, is put into practice, using complementation of chemical species (isoflavones, anthraquinones, procyanidins, triterpenes, saponins and hydrogen sulphide prodrugs), thereby targeting multiple 'factors'.

Identification of reference genes and miRNAs for RT-qPCR in testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

Testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats is a common model that is widely used in studies of the effects and molecular mechanisms of drugs designed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. RT-qPCR is a widely used technique in gene expression studies. Proper normalisation is critical for accurate expression analysis. Currently, no validated reference genes are available for RT-qPCR in rat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Given that microRNAs regulate mRNA expression at the post-transcriptional level, they are usually studied together. Here, the expression stability of 21 putative reference genes including 8 mRNAs and 13 miRNAs was evaluated in benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats. Relative expression levels of each gene were detected in rats from a model group and a normal group using SYBR RT-qPCR. Expression stability was evaluated by geNorm and NormFinder. The commonly used reference genes, such as ACTB, B2M and mir-16, were less stable, and let-7a was eliminated due to a large Ct value, most likely indicating a relatively low expression level. Therefore, to obtain reliable results, mir-26a was recommended as a suitable reference for miRNA expression analysis and EF-1a as a suitable reference for mRNA analysis in testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

Effect of sildenafil citrate in testosterone induced benign prostate hyperplasia rat model

Objective

Efficacy of treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is limited because the disease has complex etiopathogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) receptors in prostate tissue. We investigated efficacy of sildenafil citrate in testosteron - induced BPH in rats.

Material and methods

The rats were divided into three groups. Each groups had 7 rats. Group 1 was control group. Testosteron propionate 3 mg/kg/day was injected subcutaneously for two weeks in Group 2. The same procedure was done for Group 3 and sildenafil citrate was added to water at daily doses of 2 mg/kg for two weeks. The rats were euthanized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital. The body weights were measured and the prostates were removed.

Results

The mean weights of rats were 288±31.93, 345±23.23 and 294±32.86 g in Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The mean prostate weights of rats were 0.74±0.18, 1.3±0.13 and 0.72±0.24 g in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Group 2 had statistically significantly higher prostate weights than the other groups (p<0.01). Relative prostate weight is calculated with ratio of prostate weight to body weight. BPH group showed an increase in relative prostate weight compared with other groups with significant difference (p=0.036 and p=0.040). There was statistical difference for acinar area between Group 2 and the others, no significant difference of number of acini, interstitial space and epithelial thickness. Group 2 has more papillary projections per acini than the other groups.

Conclusion

Favourable effect of sildenafil citrate on dimensions of prostate but not all on histological parameters was observed. We expect that PDE-5 inhibitors might be a treatment option for BPH patients if the studies support our findings in the future.

Cynanchum wilfordii Ameliorates Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating 5α-Reductase and Androgen Receptor Activities in a Rat Model

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of the prostate gland. Cynanchum wilfordii has been reported to improve sexual behavior in male rats. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of an aqueous extract of C. wilfordii (CWW) against BPH development in a testosterone-induced BPH rat model. The rats were divided into the following six groups: sham/vehicle; BPH/vehicle; BPH/finasteride; and three CWW doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). After a 4-week treatment with CWW, the rats were euthanized at scheduled times, and their prostates were weighed, followed by a histopathological examination. Prostate growth inhibition rates in rats administered CWW 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg were 54.5%, 51.8%, and 50.1%, respectively. The BPH/CWW group showed decreased serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels compared to the BPH/vehicle group. Furthermore, the BPH/CWW group showed reduced prostate testosterone and DHT levels compared to the BPH/vehicle group. Mechanistically, the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed downregulated mRNA expression levels of the androgen receptor, 5α-reductase, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in the BPH/CWW200 group compared with those in the testosterone-induced groups. In conclusion, these findings show the effectiveness of CWW in slowing the progression of testosterone-induced BPH in rats.

Inhibitory effects of Ponciri Fructus on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

Background

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is non-cancerous condition of enlargement of the prostate, a common occurrence in older men. The immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Rafinesque (Rutaceae), Ponciri Fructus are widely used in traditional oriental medicine for the therapy of various diseases. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of BPH. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of a Ponciri Fructus extract (PFE) on the development of BPH in a in a rat model of BPH induced by testosterone propionate (TP).

Methods

Male Sprague Dawley rats were used as a model of BPH after its induction by daily subcutaneous injections of TP/corn oil, for a period of four weeks. PFE was administrated daily 1 h before TP/corn oil injection by oral gavage at a dose level of 200 mg/kg during the 4 weeks of TP/corn oil injections. All rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, we measured the relative prostate weight, the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), histological changes, activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase), and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In addition, we also measured the inhibition (%) of 5α-reductase in the prostatic tissue.

Results

Our findings indicate that PFE significantly inhibited the development of BPH; decreased the relative prostate weight, the level of testosterone and DHT in serum and prostatic tissue, prostatic hyperplasia, expression of PCNA, and increased the antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, PFE showed a weak inhibitory activity on 5α-reductase.

Conclusions

These results suggest that PFE may be used as a therapeutic agent for BPH via antiproliferative and antioxidant effects.

Compounds from Cynomorium songaricum with Estrogenic and Androgenic Activities Suppress the Oestrogen/Androgen-Induced BPH Process

Objective

To investigate the phytoestrogenic and phytoandrogenic activities of compounds isolated from CS and uncover the role of CS in prevention of oestrogen/androgen-induced BPH.

Methods

Cells were treated with CS compounds, and immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect the nuclear translocation of ERα or AR in MCF-7 or LNCaP cells; luciferase reporter assay was performed to detect ERs or AR transcriptional activity in HeLa or AD293 cells; MTT assay was performed to detect the cell proliferation of MCF-7 or LNCaP cells. Oestrogen/androgen-induced BPH model was established in rat and the anti-BPH, anti-estrogenic, and anti-androgenic activities of CS in vivo were further investigated.

Results

The nuclear translocation of ERα was stimulated by nine CS compounds, three of which also stimulated AR translocation. The transcriptional activities of ERα and ERβ were induced by five compounds, within which only ECG induced AR transcriptional activity as well. Besides, ECG stimulated the proliferation of both MCF-7 cells and LNCaP cells. CS extract suppressed oestrogen/androgen-induced BPH progress in vivo by downregulation of E2 and T level in serum and alteration of the expressions of ERα, ERβ, and AR in the prostate.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrates that compounds from CS exhibit phytoestrogenic and phytoandrogenic activities, which may contribute to inhibiting the oestrogen/androgen-induced BPH development.

The anti-hyperplasia, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of Qing Ye Dan and swertiamarin in testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

Qing Ye Dan (QYD) is the whole plant of Swertia mileensis and used in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and so on. This study was to investigate the effects of QYD and its main component swertiamarin on BPH induced by testosterone in rats. The prostatic expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (βFGF) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were detected by immunohistochemistry assay. Prostatic levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory-related factors were also analyzed. Additionally, the prostatic expressions of androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER)-α, ER-β, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, B-cell CLL/lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured by western blot. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) associated factors were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. It showed that QYD and swertiamarin ameliorated the testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia and collagen deposition, attenuated the over-expressions of HIF-1α, VEGF, EGF, βFGF, PCNA, AR and ER-α, reduced the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, enhanced the expression of ER-β, inhibited the oxidative stress and local inflammation, as well as relieved prostatic EMT. It suggested that QYD and swertiamarin had prostatic protective potential against BPH.

Amelioration of testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia by Prunus species

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disorder of men. The ethnomedicinal use of an African plant Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman (Pygeum) in treating men's problems made it a popular remedy all over the globe for the treatment of BPH and related disorders. However, rampant collections made from the wild in Africa have pushed the plant to Appendix II of CITES demanding conservation of the species.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the present study, the aim was to unearth the protective effect of bark of different species of Prunus against BPH. The five selected Indian plants of family Rosaceae viz. Prunus amygdalus Stokes, Prunus armeniaca L., Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prunus domestica L. and Prunus persica (L.) Batsch were evaluated against P. africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman for a suitable comparison of efficacy as antiBPH agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antiBPH activity was evaluated in testosterone (2mg/kg/day, s.c, 21 days) induced BPH in Wistar rats. The parameters studied were body weights; histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry (PCNA) and biochemical estimations of the prostate; supported by prostatic index, testicular index, creatinine, testosterone levels; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory evaluation. The study also included chemical profiling using three markers (β-sitosterol, docosyl ferulate and ursolic acid) and estimation of β-sitosterol content through GC.

RESULTS

The Prunus species showed the presence of all the three markers in their TLC fingerprint profile and maximum amount of β-sitosterol by GC was observed in P. domestica. Interestingly, all the species exhibited significant amelioration in testosterone induced parameters with P. domestica showing the most encouraging effect as indicated from histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry and biochemical studies. The Prunus species further showed remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity signifying their role in interfering with various possible factors involved in BPH.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are suggestive of a meaningful inhibitory effect of testosterone induced BPH by the bark of different species of Prunus in the order of P. domestica, P. persica, P. amygdalus, P. cerasoides and P. armeniaca with an efficacy of P. domestica comparable to P. africana and can be used as the potential backup of Pygeum for the management of BPH.

Inhibitory effects of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside on benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside (GTW) against testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats. A total of 45 rats were randomly divided into five groups: Group I, vehicle control group (sham-operated and treated with vehicle); Group II, BPH group; Group III, BPH rats treated with finasteride at a dose of 5 mg·kg(-1); and Groups IV and V, BPH rats treated with GTW at dose levels of 10 and 20 mg·kg(-1), respectively. The drugs were administered orally once a day for 14 days. Prostate weight, prostatic index, and the testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in serum and prostate, and the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were measured; prostate tissues were taken for histopathological examination; and serum biochemical analysis was also performed. The BPH rats displayed an increase in prostate weight, prostatic index with increased testosterone and DHT levels in both the serum and prostate, and increased serum PSA levels. GTW treatment at both doses resulted in significant reductions in prostate weight, prostatic index, testosterone and DHT levels in both the serum and prostate, and serum PSA levels, compared with BPH group. Histopathological examination also indicated that GTW treatment at both doses inhibited testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia. Serum biochemical analysis showed that the liver and renal functions were normal. In conclusion, GTW inhibited testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats, without host toxicity, providing a basis for the development of GTW as a novel therapy for BPH.

Studies on Chromatographic Fingerprint and Fingerprinting Profile-Efficacy Relationship of Saxifraga stolonifera Meerb

This work investigated the spectrum-effect relationships between high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints and the anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activities of aqueous extracts from Saxifraga stolonifera. The fingerprints of S. stolonifera from various sources were established by HPLC and evaluated by similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Nine samples were obtained from these 24 batches of different origins, according to the results of SA, HCA and the common chromatographic peaks area. A testosterone-induced mouse model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was used to establish the anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activities of these nine S. stolonifera samples. The model was evaluated by analyzing prostatic index (PI), serum acid phosphatase (ACP) activity, concentrations of serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT), prostatic acid phosphatase (PACP) and type II 5α-reductase (SRD5A2). The spectrum-effect relationships between HPLC fingerprints and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activities were investigated using Grey Correlation Analysis (GRA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR). The results showed that a close correlation existed between the fingerprints and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activities, and peak 14 (chlorogenic acid), peak 17 (quercetin 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside) and peak 18 (quercetin 3-O-β-l-rhamno-pyranoside) in the HPLC fingerprints might be the main active components against anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia. This work provides a general model for the study of spectrum-effect relationships of S. stolonifera by combing HPLC fingerprints with a testosterone-induced mouse model of BPH, which can be employed to discover the principle components of anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia bioactivity.