Abstract
Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common urogenital condition in aging males, while inflammation and tissue proliferation constitute the main pathophysiological factors. The adverse effects of currently available BPH medications limit patient compliance. We tested the protective effect of aescin against the development of BPH in rats. Methods: A total of 18 male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: control (sesame oil 1 mL/kg, s.c.); BPH (testosterone oenanthate 3 mg/kg, s.c., in sesame oil), and BPH-aescin rats (testosterone oenanthate 3 mg/kg, s.c. + aescin 10 mg/kg/day, p.o.). All treatments continued for 4 weeks. Serum and prostatic samples were harvested for biochemical and histopathological examination. Results: Induction of BPH by testosterone increased the prostate weight and prostate weight index, serum testosterone, prostate expression of inflammatory (IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2), and proliferative markers (PCNA and TGF-β1). Concurrent treatment with aescin decreased the testosterone-induced increase in prostatic IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2 expression by 47.9%, 71.2%, and 64.4%, respectively. Moreover, aescin reduced the prostatic proliferation markers TGF-β1 and PCNA by 58.3% and 71.9%, respectively, and normalized the prostate weight. Conclusion: The results of this study showed, for the first time, that aescin protected against the development of experimental BPH in rats via its anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects. These findings warrant further studies to clinically repurpose aescin in the management of BPH.
Highlights
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive inflammatory disorder characterized by abnormal prostate growth and urological symptoms [1]
tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α(A), and membranes probed with mouse monoclonal antibodies against (B), or(B), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (C), and theand protein expression was normalized by β-actin
Our results show for the first time that aescin protects against the development BPH and prevents prostate tissue remodeling, the current study has some limitations
Summary
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive inflammatory disorder characterized by abnormal prostate growth and urological symptoms [1]. BPH is common among males more than 50 years of age and affects approximately one in four males worldwide [2]. About 80% of lower urinary tract symptoms in males result from BPH-related pathology [2]. Enhanced growth of the transitional zone cells surrounding the urethra leads to prostate enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction, resulting lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) [3]. Despite the advancement in the current medications for BPH treatment, finding new therapies is crucial. Α1 -adrenergic receptor antagonists and 5αreductase inhibitors are widely used therapies in the treatment of BPH, and they may Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15, 130.
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