Inhibitory Effect of Astaxanthin on Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats

Diacerein provokes apoptosis, improves redox balance, and downregulates PCNA and TNF-α in a rat model of testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia: A new non-invasive approach

One of the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting older men is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), causing severe annoyance and embarrassment to patients. The pathogenesis of BPH has been connected to epithelial proliferation, inflammation, deranged redox balance, and apoptosis. Diacerein (DIA), the anthraquinone derivative, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This study intended to investigate the ameliorative effect of DIA on the prostatic histology in testosterone-induced BPH in rats. BPH was experimentally induced by daily subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate for four weeks. The treated group received DIA daily for a further two weeks after induction of BPH. Rats' body and prostate weights, serum-free testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and PSA were evaluated. Prostatic tissue was processed for measuring redox balance and histopathological examination. The BPH group had increased body and prostate weights, serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, PSA, and oxidative stress. Histologically, there were marked acinar epithelial and stromal hyperplasia, inflammatory infiltrates, and increased collagen deposition. An immunohistochemical study showed an increase in the inflammatory TNF-α and the proliferative PCNA markers. Treatment with DIA markedly decreased the prostate weight and plasma hormones, improved tissue redox balance, repaired the histological changes, and increased the proapoptotic caspase 3 expression besides the substantial reduction in TNF-α and PCNA expression. In conclusion, our study underscored DIA's potential to alleviate the prostatic hyperplastic and inflammatory changes in BPH through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and apoptosis-inducing effects, rendering it an effective, innovative treatment for BPH.

Friedelin, a novel inhibitor of CYP17A1 in prostate cancer from Cassia tora

In prostate cancer (PC), drugs targeting CYP17A1 have shown great success in regulating PC progression. However, successful drug molecules show adverse side effects and therapeutic resistance in PC. Therefore, we proposed to discover the potent phytochemical-based inhibitor against CYP17A1 using virtual screening. In this study, a phytochemicals library of ∼13800 molecules was selected to screen the best possible inhibitors against CYP17A1. A molecular modelling approach investigated detailed intermolecular interactions, their structural stability, and binding affinity. Further, in vitro and in vivo studies were performed to confirm the anticancer activity of identified potential inhibitor against CYP17A1. Friedelin from Cassia tora (CT) is identified as the best possible inhibitor from the screened library. MD simulation study reveals stable binding of Friedelin to conserved binding pocket of CYP17A1 with higher binding affinity than studied control, that is, Orteronel. Friedelin was tested on hormone-sensitive (22Rv1) and insensitive (DU145) cell lines and the IC50 value was found to be 72.025 and 81.766 µg/ml, respectively. CT extract showed a 25.28% IC50 value against 22Rv1, ∼92.6% increase in late Apoptosis/Necrosis, and three folds decrease in early apoptosis in treated cells compared to untreated cells. Further, animal studies show a marked decrease in prostate weight by 39.6% and prostate index by 36.5%, along with a reduction in serum PSA level by 71.7% and testosterone level by 92.4% compared to the testosterone group, which was further validated with histopathological studies. Thus, we propose Friedelin and CT extract as potential leads, which could be taken further for drug development in PC.[Figure: see text]Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exploring the mechanism of action of Qian Lie Xing Fang during the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia via network pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulation analyses

This study aimed to explore the historical research progress on benign prostatic hyperplasia from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine theory and the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with Qian Lie Xing Fang (QLXF) via the warming and tonifying of kidney yang, promotion of blood circulation, and clearing of meridians. First, network pharmacology analysis was used to screen and identify possible pathways for BPH treatment with QLXF. Subsequently, molecular docking analysis helped explore the mechanism of action by which the components of QLXF affected androgen receptor (AR) and type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE-5) levels. Targets for treatment with QLXF were identified from the online Mendelian inheritance in man and DisGeNET databases. BPH-related genes were identified using GeneCards and online Mendelian inheritance in man databases, and their intersection was used to construct a protein-protein interaction network analysis graph. Subsequently, gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed. The semiflexible docking of the ingredients of QLXF acting on the 2 targets was performed via molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, to elucidate the mechanism of action by which the active ingredients affect AR and PDE-5 levels further. This enabled us to explore the pattern of interactions between small active ingredient molecules, the target protein, and the stability after binding at the microscopic level. Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that QLXF affected several processes, such as DNA transcription factor binding, kinase binding, protein homodimerization activity, protein structure domain-specific binding, and protein-coupled amine receptor activity in BPH patients. KEGG results showed that chemical carcinogenic reactive oxidative species and the JAK-STAT, Pl3k-Akt, FoxO, NF-κB, and other pathways were significantly enriched. Conducting molecular docking studies to investigate the interaction of active components from QLXF with AR and PDE-5, it was found that MOL002260 may possess the potential to inhibit PDE-5 activity, while MOL010578 may exhibit the capability to inhibit AR activity. QLXF is closely associated with various biological processes and KEGG signaling pathways related to BPH. The active ingredients of QLXF were investigated for their interactions with AR and PDE-5, with a primary focus on the small molecules MOL002260 and MOL010578.

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.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antiangiogenic Activity of a Pomegranate Extract in BPH-1 Prostate Epithelial Cells

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that develops from hyper-proliferation of the stromal and epithelium region. Activation of pathways involving inflammation and oxidative stress can contribute to cell proliferation in BPH and tumorigenesis. Agricultural-waste-derived extracts have drawn the attention of researchers as they represent a valid and sustainable way to exploit waste production. Indeed, such extracts are rich in bioactive compounds and can provide health-promoting effects. In particular, extracts obtained from pomegranate wastes and by-products have been shown to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study focused on the evaluation of the anti-angiogenic effects and chemopreventive action of a pomegranate extract (PWE) in cellular models of BPH. In our experimental conditions, we observed that PWE was able to significantly (p < 0.001) reduce the proliferation and migration rates (up to 60%), together with the clonogenic capacity of BPH-1 cells concomitantly with the reduction in inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, PGE2) and pro-angiogenic factor (VEGF-ADMA) release. Additionally, we demonstrated the ability of PWE in reducing angiogenesis in an in vitro model of BPH consisting in transferring BPH-1-cell-conditioned media to human endothelial H5V cells. Indeed, PWE was able to reduce tube formation in H5V cells through VEGF level reduction even at low concentrations. Overall, we confirmed that inhibition of angiogenesis may be an alternative therapeutic option to prevent neovascularization in prostate tissue with BPH and its transformation into malignant prostate cancer.

Lipidic extract of whole tomato reduces hyperplasia, oxidative stress and inflammation on testosterone-induced BPH in obese rats

PURPOSE

Tomato is an important source of lycopene, a carotenoid that has been emerging as a natural preventive agent for prostate disease. Moreover, tomato contains other components with a wide range of physiological properties, but their potential beneficial effects on prostatic hyperplasia (PH) during obesity have not been completely established. In this study, we compared the effect of a lipidic extract of tomato saladette (STE) with Serenoa repens (SR) on obese rats with PH.

METHODS

Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided in Control (C) and Obese (Ob) treated without (n = 12) and with (n = 36) testosterone enanthate (TE), once a week for 8 weeks to induce PH. After 4 weeks, SR and STE were administered. Biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines production were determined.

RESULTS

TE increased prostate weight and caused prostatic hyperplasia in C group, and these effects were exacerbated by obesity. SR and STE reverted the increase in prostate weight and hyperplasia caused by TE in C and Ob groups. Obesity increased LDL, TGs, NOx and MAD, but decreased HDLc, GSx, SOD and CAT. SR reverted the effects of obesity, but these were significantly reduced and HDLc increased with STE. Obesity and TE increased TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 levels, but these were partially reverted by STE compared with SR.

CONCLUSIONS

Excess of fat tissue increases the alterations by PH. STE diminishes these alterations compared with SR, suggesting its beneficial effect to improve prostate function. Whole tomato lipid extract could serve as sole therapy or as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment for PH.

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.

Are We Sentenced to Pharmacotherapy? Promising Role of Lycopene and Vitamin A in Benign Urologic Conditions

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, urolithiasis, recurrent urinary tract infections, and chronic prostatitis are diseases that are commonly diagnosed worldwide. Carotenoids, including lycopene, are widely available in fruits and vegetables, and it is postulated that they can be used in the prevention and treatment of benign urological conditions. The aim of this review is to familiarize doctors and their patients with the current knowledge on carotenoids and their conversion products in selected urological diseases. Most of the experimental and clinical trials show a moderate effect of lycopene and vitamin A on studied parameters. Lycopene was shown to improve the IPSS score in BPH patients, and alleviate symptoms in those with chronic prostatitis. Intake of Vitamin A was associated with decrease of urinary tract reinfection rates. In studied rat models retinol also decreased urolithiasis formation. Although the results of the cited studies are generally promising, it is evident that more detailed and extensive research must be done in this field of medicine.