Therapeutical effects of total flavonoid of pteris multifida in nonbacterial prostatitis rats

Abstract

Objective To study the therapeutical effects of total flavonoid of pteris multifida in nonbacterial prostatitis rats and the possible mechanism. Methods Fifty- eight male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with the Wistar rat prostate protein purification liquid mixture with immune adjuvant for the preparation of experimental rat model of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups(8 rats each group): the blank group, model group, total flavonoid of pteris multifida group(high, medium, and low dose groups), prostat group.The rats were fed on relevant drugs or the same volume of distilled water in each group, once daily for consecutive 30 days.The body weight, the immune organs weight and the prostate wet weight were measured, and the prostatic index(PI) was calculated.The levels of interleukin(IL)- 8, IL- 10 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)assay kit.The pathological changes were observed in the prostate tissues under the light microscope. Results Total flavonoid of pteris multifida could not reduce the body weight and prostate wet weight.As compared with model group[(0.701±0.054), and(0.354±0.051) g], the spleen weight and thymus weight in high dose total flavonoid of pteris multifida treated group[(0.643± 0.042), and(0.287±0.042)g]were significantly reduced(P< 0.05).Under the light microscopy, total flavonoid of pteris multifida could obviously alleviate the pathological changes in the prostate tissue in rat models, reduce infiltration of inflammatory cells, most significantly in the high dose total flavonoid of pteris multifida treated group. As compared with blank group[(4.69±0.67), (79.95±2.84), and(44.73±1.53) ng/L], IL- 8, IL- 10 and TNF-αlevels were remarkably increased in model group[(5.31±0.26),(88.94±3.12), and(47.34±1.91) ng/L, P< 0.05].As compared with model group, the serum levels of IL- 8 and IL- 10 in high dose total flavonoid of pteris multifida treated group was remarkably depressed[(5.07±0.42, 82.32±3.09) vs.(5.31± 0.26, 88.94±3.12)ng/L, P< 0.05].As compared with model group[(47.34±1.91)ng/L], the serum levels of TNF-αin high dose total flavonoid of pteris multifida treated group[(44.73± 1.53)ng/L] was significantly reduced(P< 0.01). The levels of IL- 8 and TNF-α[(5.06± 0.30),(44.80±2.20) ng/L] were reduced in the middle dose total flavonoid of pteris multifida treated group group as compared with model group(P< 0.05). Conclusion The total flavonoids of pteris multifida could significantly alleviate the pathological changes of the prostate tissues in rats with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, most significantly in the high dose total flavonoid of pteris multifida treated group, which might be related to the regulation of the immune function and balance of the production of inflammatory factors. Key words: Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis; Pteris multifida; Total flavonoids; Inflammatory factors