Sphenostylis Stenocarpa seed ethanol extract normalizes redox imbalance and other alterations associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia in rat model

Abstract

Background: Natural products are gaining increasing interest in the management of prostate diseases due to their promising efficacy and milder side effect when compared to the conventional drugs used in treating them.

Objective: This study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Sphenostylis stenocarpa seeds (EESS) on markers of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and antioxidant activities in Wistar rats.

Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomized into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Rats in groups 2-5 were subcutaneous injection with testosterone propionate (TP) for 28 days to induce BPH. The Wistar rats in group 1 served as the normal control, group 2 and 3 were the model and positive control groups respectively. The EESS was concurrently administered to the rats in the test groups (4 and 5) at different doses for the 28 days. BPH markers, hormonal profile, oxidative stress indices, kidney and liver function parameters of the rats were determined.

Results: The subcutaneous injection of TP caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the prostate-specific antigen level (PSA) (2.24 ± 0.28 ng/ml), prostate weight (0.96 ± 0.08 g) and prostate protein content (5.04 ± 0.15 g/tissue) of rats in the model group when compared to their respective normal control (1.54 ± 0.01 ng/ml, 0.62 ± 0.05 g, 4.04 ± 0.07 g/tissue). The administration of EESS to the rats exhibited a remarkable reversal of the induced BPH evidenced by a significant decrease in PSA level (1.70 ± 0.05 ng/ml), prostate weight (0.52 ± 0.04 g) and prostate protein content (4.02 ± 0.37 g/tissue) which were compromised in the model group. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in antioxidant activities was equally observed in groups treated with the plant extract compared to the model group.

Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that S. stenocarpa seeds may be useful in BPH management.