Combinations of natural products have a number of benefits. We investigated the inhibitory effect of a combination of 50% ethanol extracts of Cervus elaphus antler (CEE), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GUE), and Angelica gigas (AGE) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using BPH-1 cells and testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rats. The combination, called CGA113, inhibited cell proliferation by decreasing the cell viability of BPH-1 cells up to 72.03% more than the individual extracts. In addition, CGA113 significantly reduced the mRNA expressions of AR and SRD5A2 in BPH-1 cells. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to castration surgery to remove endogenous testosterone, and 3 mg/kg testosterone propionate was subcutaneously injected to induce BPH. Subsequently, CGA113 (50 and 200 mg/kg BW/day) was orally administered to the TP-induced BPH rats for 8 weeks. In the CGA113-H group (200 mg/kg of CGA113), the prostate ratio, serum DHT, prostate DHT, and prostate 5α-reductase2 were significantly decreased compared to the BPH group. Histology with H&E staining of the prostate tissue, revealed a reduction in the thickening of the prostate epithelial cells and enlargement of the lumen compared to the BPH group. The mRNA levels of the Bax/Bcl2 ratio in prostate tissue of the CGA113-H group were significantly increased. Overall, the combined extract of CEE, GUE, and AGE, was determined to exert synergistic effects, indicating the potential of the three natural materials as therapeutic agents for alleviation of BPH symptoms.

With aging, men inevitably encounter irreversible changes, including progressive loss of testosterone and physical strength, and increased fat mass. To assess the alleviatory effects of EUAJ on andropause symptoms, including in vivo testosterone deficiency, we administered EUAJ for 6 weeks in 22-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Before EUAJ (3:1) (E. ulmoides:A. japonica = 3:1, KGC08EA) administration, testosterone decline in 22-week-old SD rats was confirmed compared to 7-week-old SD rats (NC group). After administration of EUAJ (3:1) at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg for 6 weeks, testosterone, free testosterone, and mRNA expression levels (Cyp11a1 and Hsd3b1) were significantly increased at 40 mg/kg EUAJ (3:1), whereas mRNA expression levels of Cyp19a1 and Srd5a2 were significantly reduced at this concentration, compared to the control group. Swimming retention time was significantly increased at both 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg. In summary, EUAJ (3:1) enhanced testosterone production by increasing bioavailable testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and enzymes related to testosterone synthesis at 40 mg/kg. In addition, 80 mg/kg EUAJ (3:1) also increased physical and testicular functions.