Potential of <b><i>Moringa oleifera</i></b> in the Treatment of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia: Role of Antioxidant Defence Systems

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the protective effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: BPH was induced in rats by the administration of testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg, s.c., in olive oil) for 4 weeks. M. oleifera (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg), celecoxib (20 mg/kg), or M. oleifera (50 mg/kg) + celecoxib (20 mg/kg) were orally administered daily 15 min before testosterone. On day 29, blood was collected to measure the levels of serum testosterone and prostate-specific antigen before the animals were sacrificed. The prostates were weighed, assayed, and histologically examined. Results: M. oleifera significantly reduced the testosterone-induced increase in prostate weight (20.16%), prostate index (65.85%), serum testosterone (72.86%), and prostate-specific antigen (48.49%). Testosterone caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde (73%) as well as a reduction in glutathione (62.5%), superoxide dismutase (50%), and catalase (64%) activities which were attenuated by M. oleifera with a peak effect obtained at 100 mg/kg. The disruption of prostate histoarchitecture by testosterone was also ameliorated by M. oleifera. Conclusion: M. oleifera prevented testosterone-induced BPH through enhancement of antioxidant defence mechanisms, and hence could be used as an adjunct in the treatment of BPH.

Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract of Duranta erecta in Rats Induced with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…Eighteen (18) albino mice (aged 8 weeks 21-30 g) and thirty (30) adult male albino rats (aged 12 weeks, 203-305 g) were used for the acute toxicity (LD50) and BPH studies, respectively. Animals used in the studies were procured from the zoology animal house at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.…”

“…The prostate gland of all the experimental animals was harvested and weighed at the end of the experiment. The prostatic index was determined using the formula: 18 Determination of serum prostate specific antigen, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels The serum levels of PSA, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were determined using ELISA kits following the guidelines of the manufacturers. For PSA determination, the required numbers of wells were placed in a rack.…”

“…Increases in prostatic weight and index are one of the important indicators of BPH in men. 18,28 BPH is characterized by an overgrowth of stromal and epithelial cells, resulting in prostate enlargement. 2…”

Role of PPAR‐α agonist fenofibrate in the treatment of induced benign prostatic hyperplasia with dysplastic changes in rats

“…DHT is the primary factor in prostate cell proliferation and developing BPH. DHT is generated by the prostatic 5 α‐reductase (5α‐R2) from testosterone which is present in fibroblasts of the stroma and in basal epithelial cells .…”

“…Marked accumulation of inflammatory cells and cytokines causes tissue destruction, tissue rebuilding, hyperplastic and dysplastic changes of BPH .…”