<i>Curcuma longa</i> extract improves serum electrolytes and hormone profile of dihydrotestosterone - Estradiol valerate induced benign prostatic hyperplasia male rats

Abstract

The usefulness of methanol extract of Curcuma longa in management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats was studied. Twenty  male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of 4 rats each. BPH was induced by subcutaneous injection of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol valerate (10:1) daily for 28 days. The normal control (NC) received subcutaneous olive oil (as vehicle) for the same duration. The disease control (HC) and drug control groups (DC) were given subcutaneous olive oil and oral finasteride (standard drug: 5 mg/kg bw) respectively after induction of BPH. Rats in the test groups (T₁ and T₂) were given 100 and 200 mg/kg.bw of C. longa methanol extracts orally for 28 days respectively, following disease induction. Phytochemical constituents of plant extracts, selected biomarkers of BPH,  serum electrolyte and hormonal profile were determined using standard methods. Results revealed that C. longa have higher content of flavonoid (4.03 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) with lower concentration of terpene (0.40 ± 0.07 mg/100 g). There was significant decrease (p<0.05) in relative prostate weight and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in T₁ and T₂ compared to the HC group. Calcium and sodium showed  significant (p<0.05) decreased following administration of plant extract while chlorine and bicarbonate recorded no (p>0.05) difference. There was a (p<0.05) decrease in serum total testosterone and increase in FSH level, but no difference (p>0.05) was seen in serum estradiol levels within all experimental groups. This study reveals that C. longa may be useful in the treatment and/or management of BPH and its
complications.