Inhibitory effect of rape pollen supercritical CO2 fluid extract against testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

Bi-Cheng Yang,Kun Li,Li-Li Jin,Yi-Fang Yang,Dan-Ming Peng

doi:10.3892/etm.2014.1680

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms. Rape pollen is an apicultural product that is composed of nutritionally valuable and biologically active substances. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of rape pollen supercritical CO2 fluid extract (SFE-CO2) in BPH development using a testosterone-induced BPH rat model. BPH was induced in the experimental groups by daily subcutaneous injections of testosterone for a period of 30 days. Rape pollen SFE-CO2 was administered daily by oral gavage concurrently with the testosterone injections. Animals were sacrificed at the scheduled termination and the prostates were weighed and subjected to histopathological examination. Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5α-reductase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels were also measured. BPH-induced animals exhibited an increase in prostate weight with increased testosterone, DHT, 5α-reductase and COX-2 expression levels. However, rape pollen SFE-CO2 treatment resulted in significant reductions in the prostate index and testosterone, DHT, 5α-reductase and COX-2 levels compared with those in BPH-induced animals. Histopathological examination also demonstrated that rape pollen SFE-CO2 treatment suppressed testosterone-induced BPH. These observations indicate that rape pollen SFE-CO2 inhibits the development of BPH in rats and these effects are closely associated with reductions in DHT, 5α-reductase and COX-2 levels. Therefore, the results of the present study clearly indicate that rape pollen SFE-CO2 extract may be a useful agent in BPH treatment.

Highlights

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition characterized by excessive and uncontrolled growth of the prostate gland, affects ~85% of males over 50 years of age [1]
The rape pollen supercritical fluid extracts (SFEs)‐CO2 groups showed significant reductions in prostatic index compared with the testosterone‐induced BPH group
The effects of rape pollen SFE‐CO2 on prostate size and DHT and testosterone levels were evaluated in the prostate tissue and serum of a testosterone‐induced BPH rat model

Summary

Introduction

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition characterized by excessive and uncontrolled growth of the prostate gland, affects ~85% of males over 50 years of age [1]. Pharmacotherapy remains the modality of choice for BPH treatment and may be roughly divided into three groups: α‐blockers, 5α‐reductase inhibitors and alternative therapies [7]. These prescription medications may have adverse side‐effects, including orthostatic hypotension, decreased libido and ejaculatory or erectile dysfunction [8]. Due to these risks, natural products that appear to have limited adverse events are becoming increasingly important in the treatment of BPH [9]. Previous studies have shown that a number of natural products, including saw palmetto [10], Sphaeranthus indicus, Pygeum africanum and Hypoxis rooperi, possess anti‐BPH potential [11]

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