RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhibitive effect of soybean isoflavone on benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats. METHODS: By subcutaneously injecting testosterone propionate to induce prostate hyperplasia in rats, the changes of prostate wet weight, prostatic index, morphological change, prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PAP), acid phosphatase in the control, the model, low, moderate, high dose of soybean isoflavone groups were observed. RESULTS: The ventral prostate wet weight, prostatic index, and PAP in the low, moderate, and high dose groups were significantly lower than those in the models (P < 0.05). The ventral prostate wet weight, prostatic index, and PAP in the moderate, and high dose groups were significantly lower than those in the low dose group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Soybean isoflavone inhibits prostate hyperplasia and the increase of acid phosphatase and PAP in a dose-dependent manner in rats. Soybean isoflavone may serve as supplementary therapy and prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia.