Extracts of bark from the traditional Chinese herb Phellodendron amurense inhibit contractility of the isolated rat prostate gland

Abstract

Aim of the study To assess the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese herb Phellodendron amurense in treating urological disorders. Materials and methods Prostate smooth muscle relaxant activity of an extract from the bark of Phellodendron amurense was tested on contractions of isolated rat prostate gland induced by electrical nerve stimulation and direct muscle stimulation. Results Electrical field stimulation (0.5 ms, 60 V, 1–20 Hz) induced nerve mediated contractions of isolated rat prostate were inhibited by Phellodendron amurense extract dissolved in either dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), acetic acid or water ( P ≤ 0.022, n = 6 for each) but not boiling water ( P = 0.619, n = 6). Phellodendron amurense extract also inhibited contractions of isolated rat prostates elicited by exogenous administration of noradrenaline (10 nM to 100 μM), acetylcholine (10 nM to 100 μM) or adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP, 100 nM to 100 μM) ( P ≤ 0.004, n = 6–8 for each). Conclusion Phellodendron amurense is able to inhibit prostatic contractility suggesting that it may be useful in the treatment of urological disorders caused by prostatic urethral obstruction such as in the case of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).