Palmitoylethanolamide/Baicalein Regulates the Androgen Receptor Signaling and NF-κB/Nrf2 Pathways in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Ameliorates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia through Regulation of Oxidative Stress via Nrf-2/HO-1 Activation

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that leads to inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract (HLT-101) on BPH through the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. A testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model was orally administered HLT-101 (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg), and its effects on oxidative stress- and inflammation-related gene expression were examined. Further, HLT-101 was assessed for its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathways in BPH-1 cells. HLT-101 decreased testosterone-induced excessive free radical production and inflammatory factor activation. Moreover, HLT-101 treatment significantly decreased the intracellular ROS level in the TNF-α and IFN-γ treated BPH-1 cells through the activation of Nrf-2. In addition, HLT-101 treatment inhibited the NF-κB pathway and androgen receptor (AR) signaling, which is highly linked to the pathogenesis of BPH. Therefore, HLT-101 has the potential to be an effective treatment reagent for BPH because of its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress via Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling.

Baicalein attenuates bleomycin-induced lung fibroblast senescence and lung fibrosis through restoration of Sirt3 expression

CONTEXT

Fibroblast senescence was reported to contribute to the pathological development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and baicalein is reported to attenuate IPF.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores whether baicalein attenuates lung fibrosis by regulating lung fibroblast senescence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were randomly assigned to control, bleomycin (BLM), baicalein and BLM + baicalein groups. Lung fibrosis was established by a single intratracheal dose of BLM (3 mg/kg). The baicalein group received baicalein orally (100 mg/kg/day). Sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) siRNA (50 μg) was injected through the tail vein once a week for 2 weeks to explore its effect on the anti-pulmonary fibrosis of baicalein.

RESULTS

BLM-treated mice exhibited obvious lung fibrosis and fibroblast senescence by showing increased levels of collagen deposition (27.29% vs. 4.14%), hydroxyproline (208.05 vs. 40.16 ng/mg), collagen I (25.18 vs. 9.15 μg/mg), p53, p21, p16, MCP-1, PAI-1, TNF-α, MMP-10 and MMP-12 in lung tissues, which were attenuated by baicalein. Baicalein also mitigated BLM-mediated activation of TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway. Baicalein restored the BLM-induced downregulation of Sirt3 expression in lung tissues and silencing of Sirt3 abolished the inhibitory role of baicalein against BLM-induced lung fibrosis, fibroblast senescence and activation of TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Baicalein preserved the BLM-induced downregulation of lung Sirt3 expression, and thus the suppression of TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway and lung fibrosis, which might provide an experimental basis for treatment of IPF.

Probenecid ameliorates testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia: Implications of PGE-2 on ADAM-17/EGFR/ERK1/2 signaling cascade

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most prevalent clinical disorders in the elderly. Probenecid (Prob) is a well-known FDA-approved therapy for gout owing to its uricosuric effect. The present study evaluated the use of Prob for BPH as a COX-2 inhibitor. Prob (100 and 200 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected into male Wistar rats daily for 3 weeks. In the second week, testosterone (3 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to induce BPH. Compared with BPH-induced rats, Prob treatment reduced prostate weight and index and improved histopathological architecture. The protease activity of ADAM-17/TACE and its ligands (TGF-α and TNF-α) were regulated by prob, which in turn abolished EGFR phosphorylation, and several inflammatory mediators (COX-2, PGE2, NF-κB (p65), and IL-6) were suppressed. By reducing the nuclear import of extracellular regulated kinase protein 1/2 (ERK1/2), Prob helped re-establish the usual equilibrium between antiapoptotic proteins like Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 and proapoptotic proteins like Bax. All of these data point to Prob as a promising treatment for BPH because of its ability to inhibit COX-2-syntheiszed PGE2 and control the ADAM-17/TGF-α-induced EGFR/ERK1/2 signaling cascade. These findings might help to repurpose Prob for the treatment of BPH.

Nrf2-mediated macrophage function in benign prostatic hyperplasia: Novel molecular insights and implications

One of the most common urological diseases is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with a high prevalence in the middle-aged and elderly male population. Patient's mental and physical health is affected significantly by this condition, causing them considerable discomfort. During the development of BPH, a synergistic effect occurs in response to inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by the activation of macrophages. The nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway can mediate macrophage activation and inhibit prostate hyperplasia by suppressing pro-inflammatory factors, anti-oxidative stress disorder, and initiating apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to review the mechanism of action of Nrf2 signaling pathway-mediated macrophage activation on the immune microenvironment of BPH and to summarize the Chinese medicine based on Nrf2 to provide an overview of BPH treatment options.

Tomato lipidic extract plus selenium decrease prostatic hyperplasia, dihydrotestosterone and androgen receptor expression versus finasteride in rats

PURPOSE

Evaluate the therapeutic effect of a tomato lipidic extract (STE) in combination with selenium (Se) on rats with prostatic hyperplasia (PH) and to observe its possible mechanisms of action and synergism versus finasteride.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

54 male Wistar rats of nine weeks old were divided in Control (C), PH, Finasteride (F), STE, Se, F + STE, F + Se, STE + Se and F + STE + Se with testosterone enanthate (except C). After 4 weeks of treatment administration, prostate weight, bladder weight, diuresis, prooxidant and antioxidant activity, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androgen receptor (AR) expression and anatomopathological analysis were determined.

RESULTS

STE + Se decreased prostate weight 53.8% versus 28% in F group, also STE + Se decreased significatively glandular hyperplasia, prooxidant activity, DHT and AR expression and increased diuresis and antioxidant activity versus finasteride which increased MDA in prostate.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate a greater therapeutic and beneficial effect of tomato lipidic extract in combination with Se in young rats with PH with respect to finasteride without increase prooxidant activity.

Selenium in combination with a tomato lipid extract as a therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia and its alterations in rats with induced BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common adenoma in old men. Tomatoes are a rich source of bioactive compounds that, as well as selenium (Se), possess antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. The aim was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Se in combination with a tomato extract in aged rats with BPH. Aged male Wistar rats were divided in the following groups (n = 10 rats/group): Control (C), BPH, BPH + Finasteride (BPH + F), BPH + Tomato Lipidic Extract (BPH + E), BPH + Selenium (BPH + S) and BPH plus E plus S (BPH + E + S). After 4 weeks of treatment, prostate weight, diuresis, antioxidants enzymes, prooxidants and inflammatory markers, growth factors and androgens were determined. BPH + E + S reduced prostate weight by 59.29% and inhibited growth by 99.35% compared to BPH + F which only decreased weight and inhibited growth by 15.31% and 57.54%, respectively. Prooxidant markers were higher with BPH + F (49.4% higher vs. BPH), but BPH + E + S decreased these markers (94.27% vs. BPH) and increased antioxidant activity. Finally, diuresis was higher with the BPH + E + S combination and markers of inflammation and growth factors were significantly lower with respect to BPH + F. Our findings provide a beneficial and protective therapeutic option of E + S directed against androgens, oxidative stress and inflammation that regulates cell proliferation in the prostate gland.

Bioactive Compounds of the Mediterranean Diet as Nutritional Support to Fight Neurodegenerative Disease

Neurodegenerative disorders are a widespread cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, characterized by neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal depletion. They include selective malfunction and progressive loss of neurons, glial cells, and neural networks in the brain and spinal cord. There is an urgent need to develop new and more effective therapeutic strategies to combat these devastating diseases because, today, there is no treatment that can cure degenerative diseases; however, we have many symptomatic treatments. Current nutritional approaches are beginning to reflect a fundamental change in our understanding of health. The Mediterranean diet may have a protective effect on the neurodegenerative process because it is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Increasing knowledge regarding the impact of diet on regulation at the genetic and molecular levels is changing the way we consider the role of nutrition, resulting in new dietary strategies. Natural products, thanks to their bioactive compounds, have recently undergone extensive exploration and study for their therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases. Targeting simultaneous multiple mechanisms of action and a neuroprotection approach with the diet could prevent cell death and restore function to damaged neurons. For these reasons, this review will be focused on the therapeutic potential of natural products and the associations between the Mediterranean-style diet (MD), neurodegenerative diseases, and markers and mechanisms of neurodegeneration.

Targeting HMGB1/PI3K/Akt and NF-κB/Nrf-2 signaling pathways by vildagliptin mitigates testosterone-induced benign prostate hyperplasia in rats

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent illness in older adults. It is well-recognized that testosterone is essential in the onset of BPH. Vildagliptin (Vilda), a dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we studied the effects of vildagliptin on testosterone-induced BPH in rats and its underlying mechanisms. Forty male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups (n = 10): CTRL, Vilda, BPH, and BPH + Vilda groups. Our results revealed that vildagliptin treatment considerably lessened the prostate weight, prostate index, serum levels of prostate-specific antigen, 5α-reductase activity, and DHT levels compared to the testosterone group. Furthermore, vildagliptin treatment inhibited the expression of HMGB1, PI3K/Akt/NF-κB, and TNF-α signaling pathways in the prostate tissue of diseased rats. Additionally, vildagliptin treatment increased the expression of Nrf-2 and HO-1, reduced GSH levels, and lowered MDA levels. Besides, vildagliptin noticeably scaled up the level of cleaved caspase-3 enzyme and, conversely, the protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Correspondingly, vildagliptin counteracts testosterone-induced histological irregularities in rats' prostates. These findings suggest that vildagliptin may be a potential prophylactic approach to avoid BPH.

Cyclooxygenase-2 activates EGFR-ERK1/2 pathway via PGE2-mediated ADAM-17 signaling in testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Prostatic inflammation is the driving force in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This work investigated the potential modulatory effect of COX-2 inhibition on ADAM-17/EGFR/ERK1/2 axis.

MATERIALS OR SUBJECTS

Adult male Wistar rats were used.

TREATMENT

Celecoxib (10 and 20 mg/kg; i.p.) was injected i.p. daily for three weeks. Testosterone (TST) (3 mg/kg; s.c.) was used to induce BPH.

METHODS

Prostatic inflammation and hyperplasia were assessed by organ weight and histopathology. Inflammatory mediators were measured using ELISA technique. Protein analysis was performed using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Gene expression analysis was performed using qRT-PCR. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test.

RESULTS

Testosterone-treated rats had a marked increase in COX-2, prostate weight, and index. Moreover, TST-induced COX-2 was inferred from cytoskeletal changes and was attributable to the overexpression of PGE2, NF-κB (p65), and IL-6. COX-2-derived PGE2 increased the activity of ADAM-17, TGF-α, and TNF-α. Consequently, EGFR-ERK1/2 pathway was over-activated, disrupting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, cyclin D1, and pro-apoptotic Bax. Celecoxib reversed these effects.

CONCLUSION

COX-2 stimulates the ERK1/2 pathway via PGE2-ADAM-17-catalyzed shedding of TGF-α in testosterone-induced BPH. The results indicate a functional correlation between inflammation and hyperplasia in BPH.

Therapeutic role of Glycyrrhiza Uralensis fisher on benign prostatic hyperplasia through 5 alpha reductase regulation and apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease in adult men. There are two pharmacological treatments for BPH. However, these synthetic materials have various risks, many studies are being conducted to develop new drugs from natural sources.

PURPOSE

In this study, we proposed a beneficial effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer on the development and progression of BPH, focusing on the androgen receptor (AR) and 5α-reductase 2 (5AR2) signaling axis.

METHODS

To explain the therapeutic efficacy of a water extract of G. uralensis (GUWE) for BPH, we used testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat models and TP-treated RWPE-1 human prostate epithelial cells.

RESULTS

In the TP-induced BPH rat models, GUWE reduced the enlarged prostate weight, prostate index, prostate epithelial thickness, and serum DHT levels. In addition, the protein levels of AR and 5AR2 in prostate tissues were significantly decreased by GUWE treatment. Furthermore, GUWE induced apoptosis signaling through an increase of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), caspase 3, and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and a decrease of B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-xL) in prostate tissues of TP-induced BPH rats. These findings were also confirmed in TP-treated RWPE-1 cells. Fi treatment markedly decreased the sperm count in the epididymis of BPH rats, but GUWE treatment did not affect the sperm count, suggesting less toxicity.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that GUWE reduces the development of BPH by inhibiting AR-5AR2 and activating the apoptosis signaling pathway. Furthermore, unlike finasteride, GUWE did not affect sperm count. Therefore, we suggest that GUWE has a potential as a safer alternative option for BPH treatment.

The consequence and mechanism of dietary flavonoids on androgen profiles and disorders amelioration

Androgen is a kind of steroid hormone that plays a vital role in reproductive system and homeostasis of the body. Disrupted androgen balance serves as the causal contributor to a series of physiological disorders and even diseases. Flavonoids, as an extremely frequent family of natural polyphenols, exist widely in plants and foods and have received great attention when considering their inevitable consumption and estrogen-like effects. Mounting evidence illustrates that flavonoids have a propensity to interfere with androgen synthesis and metabolism, and also have a designated improvement effect on androgen disorders. Therefore, flavonoids were divided into six subclasses based on the structural feature in this paper, and the literature about their effects on androgens published in the past ten years was summarized. It could be concluded that flavonoids have the potential to regulate androgen levels and biological effects, mainly by interfering with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, androgen synthesis and metabolism, androgen binding with its receptors and membrane receptors, and antioxidant effects. The faced challenges about androgen regulation by flavonoids masterly include target mechanism exploration, individual heterogeneity, food matrixes interaction, and lack of clinical study. This review also provides a scientific basis for nutritional intervention using flavonoids to improve androgen disorder symptoms.

Origanum majorana L. Extract Attenuated Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rat Model: Effect on Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Proliferation

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a widespread androgenic illness influencing elderly men. It is distinguished by prostatic epithelial and stromal muscle cell proliferation. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis have all been interrelated to the development of BPH. Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) is a herb with reported antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antioxidative properties, which have not yet been studied in relation to BPH. Consequently, in this work, an ethanolic extract of O. majorana was prepared in two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) to be injected into castrated rats after induction of a testosterone-BPH model. Testosterone propionate (TP) was subcutaneously injected (0.5 mg/kg/day) for one week after castration to induce BPH. Forty adult Wistar male rats were randomly allocated into five groups: control, BPH model, high and low O. majorana doses (250, 500 mg/kg/day), and finasteride (FN) (0.8 mg/kg/day) as a positive control. Treatment was continued with drugs/normal saline for 28 days. Rat’s body and prostate were weighed, prostate index (PI) and % of prostate growth inhibition were calculated, serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT), prostatic content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA), DN damage, histopathological changes, immune expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), caspase-3, α-SMA, and TGF-β1 were assessed. In addition, molecular quantitative PCR and ELISA analyses were performed to identify the expression of mRNAs and related proteins of both caspase-3 and TGF-β1 in prostate tissue from O. majorana-treated and untreated groups. Rats with BPH had significantly higher prostate weights and PI, higher DHT, DNA damage (8-hydroxyguanine, 8-OH-dG), and MDA levels with prominent PCNA, α-SMA, and TGF-β expression, but lower SOD, CAT, and TAC activity and caspase-3 expression. O. majorana (250 and 500 mg/kg/day)-treated groups revealed a decrease in prostate weights and PI, lower levels of DHT, suppressed oxidative stress, reduced tissue proliferation and fibrosis, and restored antioxidant and proapoptotic activity. Additionally, quantitative PCR and ELISA analysis showed that treatment with O. majorana significantly upregulated the expression of caspase-3 and downregulated the expression of TGF-β in prostate tissues of BPH rats. The data were confirmed by the immunohistological reactivity of these targeted markers in the prostate tissues. These effects were more significant with O. majorana 500 mg/mL/rat. In conclusion, the current study indicates the efficient use of O. majorana in the treatment of testosterone-induced BPH through its antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antioxidative mechanisms.

Chemotherapeutics activities of dietary phytoestrogens against prostate cancer: From observational to clinical studies

Prostate cancer remains one of the most frequent and deadliest malignancies in males, where the rate of disease progression is closely associated with the type of dietary intake, specifically Western-style diet. Indeed intake of the Asian diet, which contains abundant phytoestrogens, is inversely correlated with a higher risk of prostate cancer, suggesting a chemoprotective effect of phytoestrogen against cancer progression. Although the role of phytoestrogens in cancer treatment was well documented, their impact on prostate cancer is not well understood. Therefore, the present review discusses the possible chemopreventive effect of phytoestrogens, emphasizing their efficacy at the different stages of carcinogenesis. Furthermore, phytoestrogens provide a cytoprotective effect in conventional chemotherapy and enhance chemosensitivity to tumor cells, which have also been discussed. This compilation provides a solid basis for future research on phytoestrogens as a promising avenue for anticancer drug development and also recommends these beneficiary compounds in the daily diet to manage and prevent prostate cancer.

Umbelliferone Ameliorates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Inhibiting Cell Proliferation and G1/S Phase Cell Cycle Progression through Regulation of STAT3/E2F1 Axis

Umbelliferone (UMB), also known as 7-hydroxycoumarin, is a derivative of coumarin, which is widely found in many plants such as carrots, coriander, and garden angelica. Although many studies have already revealed the various pharmacological properties of UMB, its effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of the anti-proliferative effect of UMB in a human benign prostatic hyperplasia cell line (BPH-1), as well as its ameliorative effect on BPH in testosterone propionate (TP)-induced rats. The results showed that UMB exerts an anti-proliferative effect in BPH-1 cells by modulating the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) axis. UMB treatment not only inhibited androgen/androgen receptor (AR) signaling-related markers, but also downregulated the overexpression of G1/S phase cell cycle-related markers. In TP-induced rats, UMB administration demonstrated an anti-BPH effect by significantly reducing prostate size, weight, and epithelial thickness. In addition, UMB suppressed cell proliferation by reducing the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) in prostate tissue following TP injection. These findings suggest that UMB has pharmacological effects against BPH.