Preventive Effects of ACTICOA Powder, a Cocoa Polyphenolic Extract, on Experimentally Induced Prostate Hyperplasia in Wistar-Unilever Rats

Abstract

Plant extracts are useful in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study investigates whether ACTICOA (Barry Callebaut France, Louviers, France) powder (AP), a cocoa polyphenolic extract, could prevent prostate hyperplasia induced by testosterone propionate (TP) in rats. Male Wistar-Unilever rats were randomly divided in four groups of 12 rats: one negative control group receiving subcutaneous injections of corn oil and treated with vehicle and three groups injected subcutaneously with TP and treated with the vehicle (positive control) or AP at 24 (AP24) and 48 (AP48) mg/kg/day. Treatments were given orally and started 2 weeks before the induction of prostate hyperplasia. The influence of TP and AP on body weights and food and water consumption of rats was examined. On day 36, rats were sacrificed, and the prostates were removed, cleaned, and weighed. The prostate size ratio (prostate weight/rat body weight) was then calculated. TP significantly influenced the body weight gain of the rats and their food and water consumption, while AP at both doses tested reduced significantly these differences. TP significantly increased prostate size ratio (P < .001), and this induced increase was significantly inhibited in AP-treated rats in comparison with positive controls (P < .001) in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that AP can prevent TP-induced prostate hyperplasia and therefore may be beneficial in the management of BPH.

Epicatechin‐rich cocoa polyphenol inhibits Kras‐activated pancreatic ductal carcinoma cell growth in vitro and in a mouse model

“…On the basis of our data and previously published reports, we hypothesize that the beneficial effect of CP could be related to total epicatechin content present in it and the bioavailability of epicatechin. Epicatechin‐plasma concentrations observed in this study are in agreement with the previously published studies conducted in animals and human subjects (Ref 24. and references therein).…”

“…Animals in Group 2 received freshly prepared CP (25 mg/kg) in 100 μL of water by oral gavage 3‐days/week. The dose of CP was selected on the basis of published studies 24, 25. Body weights were recorded 7 days weekly throughout the study.…”

Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Could Dietary Polyphenols Be an Alternative to Existing Therapies?

“…ACTICOA powder (contains mostly flavonols), a cocoa polyphenol extract was demonstrated by Bisson et al (2007) to be useful in ameliorating testosterone propionate-induced prostate hyperplasia in rats.…”

Antidepressant-like effects of a cocoa polyphenolic extract in Wistar–Unilever rats

“…[23][24][25] Cocoa-derived products contain high levels of flavonoids [26][27][28] and show potent antioxidant effects. 29 We have recently shown that a cocoa polyphenolic extract had protective antioxidant effects, 30 protective effects on prostate carcinogenesis, and preventive 31 and therapeutic effects on prostate hyperplasia. 32 In addition, it has been shown that cocoa polyphenolic extract delays the onset of age-related cognitive deficits and prolongs life-span in aged rats.…”