Propolis alcohol extract attenuates prostate specific antigen disorders and prostate necrosis induced by the cadmium toxicity in rats

Abstract

A i m : The aim of this study is to assess the effects of the propolis alcohol extract (PAE) against the prostate specific antigen (PSA) disorders and prostate necrosis induced by the cadmium (Cd) toxicity in rats.M a t e r i a l a n d m e t h o d s : Parameters as body weight gain, blood PSA, blood Cd 2+ and prostate tissue examination were performed in four groups of rats as follow: GR1 (controls), GR2 (administered orally with CdSO 4 at the dose 28 mg / kg BW), GR3 (exposed to CdSO 4 then treated orally with PAE at the dose 250 mg / kg BW) and GR4 (PAE/CdSO 4 in the same conditions). Experimental period was 35 days. R e s u l t s a n d d i s c u s s i o n : Cadmium toxicity induced a decrease in body weight gain and an increase in prostate gland weight, blood PSA and Cd 2+ levels. Cd also induced prostate necrosis in which it was noted a marked irregular acini and solid parenchyma. Whereas the treatment of animals with PAE revealed that body weight gain and blood PSA are low. Propolis increased preventive effects in rat's prostate in GR4 better than GR3. Propolis has beneficial effects and could antagonize Cd-induced prostate toxicity.C o n c l u s i o n s : The results showed that propolis antagonized the harmful effects of CdSO 4 . These findings showed that propolis could protect the human health through preventing the prostatic diseases.