Inhibitory effect of curcumin on testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia rat model.

Su Kang Kim,Byung-Cheol Lee,Jooil Yi,Hye Sook Jeon,Young Ock Kim,Hae Jeong Park,Sang Wook Kang,Sang Hyub Lee,Sang Yeol Song,Hosik Seok,Joo-Ho Chung

doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0825-y

Abstract

BackgroundBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the common male diseases, which is provoked by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androgen signals. Several studies showed that curcumin has various effects of prevention and treatment to diseases. We investigated whether curcumin may repress the development of BPH in male Wistar rats.MethodsSeven weeks male Wistar rats were and divided into 4 groups (normal group, BPH group, finasteride group, curcumin group; n = 8 for each group). In order to induce BPH in rats, rats were castrated and testosterone was injected subcutaneously everyday (s.c., 20 mg/kg). Rats in the curcumin group were treated 50 mg/kg, administered orally for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, all rats were sacrificed and their prostate and serum were analyzed.ResultsCompared to the finasteride group as positive group, the curcumin group showed similarly protective effect on BPH in histopathologic morphology, prostate volume. Results of immunohistochemistry and western-blot showed decreased expressions of VEGF, TGF-ß1, and IGF1 were also decreased in the curcumin group.ConclusionsThese results suggested that curcumin inhibited the development of BPH and might a useful herbal treatment or functional food for BPH.

Highlights

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the common male diseases, which is provoked by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androgen signals
Several studies suggested that BPH is a multifactorial disease [2], it has known that hormonal factor contributes to the hyperplastic growth of prostate [1]
The final body weight in normal, BPH, curcumin, and finasteride groups was increased compared with initial body weight

Summary

Introduction

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the common male diseases, which is provoked by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androgen signals. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common male disease causing lower urinary tract distress in aging men [1]. Several studies suggested that BPH is a multifactorial disease [2], it has known that hormonal factor contributes to the hyperplastic growth of prostate [1]. Underlying etiology of BPH has not been completely identified, it has been well established that the prostate gland in the aging men is affected by androgens. Many researchers reported steroid 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone in serum into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in target tissue, as most important factor in current BPH treatment [3].

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