Berberine ameliorates testosterone-induced benign prostate hyperplasia in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a major urologic problem that mostly develops in older males. Oxidative stress and inflammation influence the occurrence of BPH. Berberine (BBR) is a natural ingredient that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The current research aims at examining the effects of BBR on testosterone-stimulated BPH in rats. METHODS: Animals were randomly categorized to six groups. In the control group, normal saline and olive oil were injected as the vehicle. BPH group: received testosterone (3 mg/kg, subcutaneous, 28 days), BPH + BBR groups; received BBR (25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o, 28 days), BPH + finasteride groups: received finasteride (1 mg/kg, p.o, 28 days), BBR (50 mg/kg, p.o, alone) was administered for subjects in the BBR group. On the 29th day, after anesthesia, cervical dislocation was used to kill the subjects. Serum concentration of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone was measured and prostate tissues were excised and used for biochemical, inflammation, and histological analysis. RESULTS: BBR prevented increased serum concentrations of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. BBR considerably reduced BPH-stimulated oxidative stress and inflammation through preventing the rise in lipid peroxidation and nitrite concentration and declined the accumulations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. interleukin 1ß and tumor necrosis factor α) and declining the depletion rate of GSH and the function of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Histopathological investigations reported that administration of BBR could suppress testosterone-stimulated BPH. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that BBR could significantly prevent the development of BPH in rats.

In Utero Chlordecone Exposure and Thyroid, Metabolic, and Sex-Steroid Hormones at the Age of Seven Years: A Study From the TIMOUN Mother-Child Cohort in Guadeloupe.

Background: Chlordecone is an endocrine-disrupting chemical with well recognized estrogenic and progestagenic properties. This organochlorine insecticide was extensively used in the French West Indies from 1973 to 1993 to control the banana root borer. Due to its poor degradation in the environment, permanently polluted soil is responsible for the current contamination of the food chain and human beings. We aimed to examine the relationship of in utero exposure to chlordecone and thyroid (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], free tri-iodothyronine [FT3], free thyroxine [FT4]), metabolic (insulin growth-factor 1, leptin, adiponectin), and sex-steroid (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], total testosterone [TT], dihydrotestosterone [DHT], estradiol [E2]) hormone levels in children at the age of seven years who participated in TIMOUN, an ongoing birth cohort in Guadeloupe. Methods: Chlordecone concentrations were measured in cord-blood at delivery. Thyroid, metabolic, and sex-steroid hormone levels were determined in the blood of children at seven years of age. Associations between in utero chlordecone exposure and hormone levels at seven years of age were assessed by multiple linear or logistic regression, controlling for confounding factors. Results: Among the study population (210 boys and 228 girls), chlordecone and hormone measurements were available for 124 boys and 161 girls. We found the third quartile of in utero chlordecone exposure relative to the lowest quartile to be associated with elevated TSH levels in girls and elevated DHEA, TT, and DHT levels in both sexes. Complementary non-linear analysis (spline regression) confirmed a significant non-linear trend for TSH in girls and DHEA and DHT in boys. Conclusion: In utero chlordecone exposure was associated with elevated levels of selected thyroid (TSH) and sex-steroid (DHEA, TT, and DHT) hormones at seven years in a non-monotonic dose response (inverted U) relationship. The implications for future health and reproductive function in puberty and adulthood should be determined.

Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Natural Drugs.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common urinary diseases affecting men, generally after the age of 50. The prevalence of this multifactorial disease increases with age. With aging, the plasma level of testosterone decreases, as well as the testosterone/estrogen ratio, resulting in increased estrogen activity, which may facilitate the hyperplasia of the prostate cells. Another theory focuses on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the activity of the enzyme 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. In older men, the activity of this enzyme increases, leading to a decreased testosterone/DHT ratio. DHT may promote prostate cell growth, resulting in hyperplasia. Some medicinal plants and their compounds act by modulating this enzyme, and have the above-mentioned targets. This review focuses on herbal drugs that are most widely used in the treatment of BPH, including pumpkin seed, willow herb, tomato, maritime pine bark, Pygeum africanum bark, rye pollen, saw palmetto fruit, and nettle root, highlighting the latest results of preclinical and clinical studies, as well as safety issues. In addition, the pharmaceutical care and other therapeutic options of BPH, including pharmacotherapy and surgical options, are discussed, summarizing and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each therapy.

Cranberry Powder Attenuates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats.

Cranberry powder (CR) is reported to be effective against lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and recurrent urinary tract infections. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men older than 50 years is a common cause of LUTS. Here, we attempted to evaluate if CR is also effective for treating BPH using a BPH-induced rat model, which was orally administered CR. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into the following six groups (n = 9): noncastration group; castration group; BPH group; BPH and cranberry for 8-week (CR8W) group; BPH and cranberry for 4-week (CR4W) group; and BPH and saw palmetto group (saw palmetto). Compared with the BPH group, the CR8W group showed a significant decrease in prostate weight (by 33%), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels (by 18% in serum and 28% in prostate), 5-alpha reductase levels (18% reduction of type 1 and 35% of type 2), and histological changes. These results indicate that CR could attenuate BPH by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase and by reducing other biomarkers such as prostate weight and DHT levels. Thus, CR may be an effective candidate for the development of a functional food for BPH treatment. IACUC (USW-IACUC-R-2015-004).

The Effects of Aronia melanocarpa Extract on Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats, and Quantitative Analysis of Major Constituents Depending on Extract Conditions.

This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of A. melanocarpa on testosterone propionate (TP)-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Wistar rats. Moreover, the bioactive constituents in the extract were determined using LC/MS and HPLC analyses. The dried fruits of A. melanocarpa were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) under different extract conditions (temperature, 30 C or 100 C; extract solvent, 60% or 100% ethanol) to yield four extracts (T1~T4). Of the four A. melanocarpa extracts, T1 extracted under the condition of 100% ethanol/low temperature (30 C) exhibited the greatest inhibitory activity on TP-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats. The administration of T1 (100 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) for six weeks attenuated TP-induced prostate enlargement and reduced the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5α-reductase in both serum and prostate tissue. The suppression of PCNA mRNA expression in prostate tissue was remarkable in T1-treated rats. In LC/MS analysis, the levels of main anthocyanins and phenolics were significantly higher in T1 than in the other extracts. Furthermore, the quantitative study showed that the contents of cyanidin-3-glucose and cyanidin-3-xylose in T1 exhibited 1.27~1.67 and 1.10~1.26 folds higher compared to those in the other extracts. These findings demonstrated that A. melanocarpa extract containing anthocyanins as bioactive constituents attenuated the development of testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia, and suggested that this extract has therapeutic potential to treat prostate enlargement and BPH.

Mangosteen pericarp components alleviate progression of prostatic hyperplasia and mitochondrial dysfunction in rats.

Prostatic hyperplasia, characterized by progressive hyperplasia of glandular and stromal tissues, is the most common proliferative abnormality of the prostate in aging men. A high-fat diet (HFD) usually is a major factor inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and an abnormal state of the prostate. Mangosteen pericarp powder (MPP) has abundant xanthones which can be antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative agents. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to research whether MPP supplementation can affect the progression of prostatic hyperplasia. Twenty-four male F344 rats were randomly divided into four groups, including a control group (C), prostatic hyperplasia-induced group (P), prostatic hyperplasia-induced with low-dose MPP group (PL), and induced with high-dose MPP group (PH). The P, PL, and PH groups were given weekly intraperitoneal injections of 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) at 25 mg/kg body weight for 10 weeks, and simultaneously fed an HFD for 24 weeks. Our findings first demonstrated that MPP consumption significantly decreased the prostate weight, serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations, protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and malondialdehyde levels and ameliorated mitochondrial function in prostatic tissues. These results suggest that MPP supplementation could be used to attenuate the progression of prostatic hyperplasia.

[Study on effect of extract from Tibetan medicine Urtica hyperborean on anti-prostatic hyperplasia].

In this study,mouse models of benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate was used to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Urtica hyperborean( UW) extracts on prostate hyperplasia in mice. The effects of UW extracts on prostate index,serum epidermal growth factor( EGF) and dihydrotestosterone( DHT) in model mice were observed,and the EGF and anti-apoptotic factor( Bcl-2) mRNA expression levels were detected as well as pathological changes in prostate tissue. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extraction and alcohol soluble fraction of the UW could significantly reduce the prostate index,reduce the serum DHT and EGF levels( P<0. 01),and significantly decrease the EGF and Bcl-2 mRNA expression( P<0. 01),significantly improved the morphological structure of prostate tissue. The above results confirmed that ethyl acetate extract and alcohol-soluble parts of UW have a good preventive effect on mice prostatic hyperplasia model,and its mechanism may be to reduce androgen levels by regulating polypeptide growth factors and/or inhibiting cell hyperproliferation and promoting apoptosis. This study laid the foundation for the further research on UW.

Effects of Lespedeza Cuneata aqueous extract on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia.

CONTEXT: Lespedeza cuneata G. Don (Fabaceae), has been used as a traditional treatment of various diseases. There is a report L. cuneata effects on hormone replacement therapy for endocrine-related disease. However, studies related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: The effects of L. cuneata aqueous extract (LCW) on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia (TPH) were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats (10 weeks, 330-350 g) were randomly divided to 6 groups (n = 6): Control group; TPH group (3 mg/kg, s.c, daily); TPH + LCW (25, 50, 100 mg/kg); TPH + Finasteride 10 mg/kg for 6 weeks. At the end of treatment, histological change of prostate, serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) level, mRNA expression of 5α-reductase, inflammatory factors, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in prostate were examined. Then, LCW was treated with BPH-1, a human BPH cell line, at 25, 50, 100 µg/mL for 24 h and examine mRNA level of androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). In addition, the content of vicenin-2 was analyzed. RESULTS: LCW treatment of TPH inhibited serum DHT levels by 54.5, 51.2 and 54.1% and mRNA expression of 5α-reductase were inhibited 54.3, 61.3 and 73.6%, respectively. In addition, mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, PCNA and FGF-2 were decreased in the prostate of rats. Also, LCW attenuated mRNA level of AR and PSA in BPH-1 cell. The content of vicenin-2 in the LCW was analyzed to 0.89 mg/g. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, LCW is a potential pharmacological candidate for the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia.

Anti-Proliferative Effects of HBX-5 on Progression of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an age-dependent disorder with a prevalence percentage of 60% in the 60s, has been found to involve an androgenic hormone imbalance that causes confusion between cell apoptosis and proliferation. Because general medications for BPH treatment have undesirable side effects, the development of effective alternative medicines has been considered. HBX-5 is a newly developed formula with the aim of improving BPH, and is composed of nine medicinal herbs. BPH was induced in the rats by intramuscular injection of testosterone propionate after castration. Rats were divided into six groups, and the efficacy of HBX-5 on testosterone-induced BPH in rats was estimated. In addition, RWPE-1 and WPMY-1 cells were used to demonstrate the effect of HBX-5 on BPH in vitro model. Compared with the control group, HBX-5 administration group suppressed BPH manifestations, such as excessive development of prostate, and increase of serum dihydrotestosterone and 5α-reductase concentrations. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that HBX-5 significantly decreased the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In addition, results of RWPE-1 and WPMY-1 cells showed that HBX-5 inhibited the over-expression of AR and PSA in DHT-induced prostate hyperplastic microenvironments.

[Efficacy of Kangshuailing Gao on benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Kangshuailing Gao (KG) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats and its action mechanisms. METHODS: Fifty BPH model rats were randomized into five groups of equal number, BPH model control, finasteride control, and high-, medium- and low-dose KG, to be treated intragastrically with distilled water, finasteride solution at 0.52 mg/kg, and KG solution at 4.16, 2.08 and 1.04 g/kg respectively once a day for 30 days consecutively. Another 10 normal healthy rats were taken as blank controls. The rats were weighed once a week during the treatment. The wet weight and index of the prostate were obtained after treatment, followed by measurement of the contents of serum estradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in the prostatic tissue, and observation of histomorphological changes in the prostate under the light microscope. RESULTS: Compared with the BPH model control group, high- and medium-dose KG significantly reduced the prostate wet weight (ï¼»0.84 ± 0.08ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.69 ± 0.04ï¼½ and ï¼»0.71 ± 0.07ï¼½ g, P < 0.01), the prostatic index (ï¼»0.28 ± 0.03ï¼½% vs ï¼»0.20 ± 0.02ï¼½% and ï¼»0.22 ± 0.03ï¼½%, P < 0.01), and the levels of T (ï¼»4.63 ± 1.25ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.44 ± 0.47ï¼½ and ï¼»2.91 ± 0.69ï¼½ ng/L, P < 0.01) and DHT (ï¼»154.44 ± 20.25ï¼½ vs ï¼»88.23 ± 13.63ï¼½ and ï¼»90.52 ± 16.44ï¼½ nmol/L, P < 0.01), but increased the level of E2 (ï¼»0.95 ± 0.24ï¼½ vs ï¼»1.19 ± 0.14ï¼½ and ï¼»1.20 ± 0.22ï¼½ nmol/L, P < 0.01) in the serum. High-dose KG remarkably reduced the overexpression of HIF-1α in the prostate tissue of the BPH model rats (P < 0.01) and alleviated such BPH-related symptoms as epithelium thinning, intraglandular secretion reduction, and interstitial substance decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Kangshuailing Gao acted effectively on BPH in the model rats by reducing the androgen level, balancing the estrogen/androgen ratio, and downregulating the expression of HIF-1α in the prostate tissue.

Effect of betaine versus arsenite-induced alterations of testicular oxidative stress and circulating androgenic indices in rats.

The aim of this work was to study the alleviative role of betaine versus arsenite-provoked alterations in testis oxidative status and circulating androgenic indices. Twenty-four adult male rats (204.5 ± 21 g) were divided into four groups, equally. Control group was given basal diet and tap water. Group 2 rats received arsenite (100 mg/L) in drinking water. Rats in group 3 received betaine (2% of the diet) during arsenite exposure. Group 4 received betaine at 2% of the diet during study period (30 days). The results revealed significant decrease in testicular glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione in arsenite-treated animals relative to controls. Significant increase in testicular malondialdehyde was also detected in arsenite-exposed group. Concurrent administration of betaine with arsenite significantly increased glutathione and catalase amounts in comparison with arsenite group. Arsenite exposure resulted in a significant decrease in plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels over control rats, whereas supplementation of betaine augmented the hormones concentrations to the levels that had no significant difference in comparison with controls. Concentration of all measured oxidative status and hormonal variables in the betaine plus arsenite and betaine groups was not significantly different relative to controls. Taken together, betaine may be proposed as an alleviative agent against arsenite-induced male reprotoxicity.

Effects of different natural extracts in an experimental model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To characterize the impact of inflammatory process and oxidative stress in the degree of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in which chronic inflammation plays a crucial role, we investigated the effect of different plant extract preparations in an in vivo model of BPH as new therapeutic target. MATERIAL: BPH was made in rats with daily administration of testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg) for 14 days. TREATMENT: Rats were randomized into different groups to receive oral administration of plant extract preparations: Serenoa repens with selenium (SeR 28.5 mg/kg associated with Se 0.005 mg/kg), Teoside (2 mg/kg), and Puryprost (14 mg/kg containing Teoside 50% 2 mg/kg and Epilobium 12 mg/kg). METHODS: After 14 days, rats were killed and histological changes, prostate weight and apoptotic pathways were assayed. RESULTS: The results obtained demonstrated that the association of treatments reduced prostate weight and hyperplasia, while treatment with Puryprost demonstrated a greater trend of protection compared to the other treatments. CONCLUSION: Thus, our results indicate that plant extract could be considered as new useful therapy in the treatment of BPH with particular attention on Puryprost that represents a rational approach to reduce BPH through modulation of inflammatory process and anti-oxidant process.

Ageratum conyzoides L. inhibits 5-alpha-reductase gene expression in human prostate cells and reduces symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy in otherwise healthy men in a double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical study.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed the efficacy and safety of Ageratum conyzoides in treating benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). In this study, 109 men with medically diagnosed BPH, aged 41-76 years, were administered the investigational product, A. conyzoides extract at a dose of 250 mg/d or placebo, q.d. for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), daily urinary frequency and safety evaluations. The secondary outcome measures were testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, oestradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and cortisol levels, and prostate specific antigen (PSA), lipids, blood glucose, the Aging Male's Symptom (AMS) Score and sexual function assessed by Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning-Self Report (DISF-SR). The effect of A. conyzoides L extract on gene expression of 5-alpha-reductase in human prostate cells was also investigated to elucidate a potential mechanism of action. The clinical study, showed a significant reduction in total IPSS score (p < 0.01) and day- and night-time urinary frequency (P < 0.01) over time after treatment with A. conyzoides. Steroid hormones, SHBG, PSA levels, lipids, and blood glucose remained within healthy reference range in both groups. There were no changes in AMS or DISF-SR in either group. Gene arrays demonstrated that A. conyzoides extract was effective in reducing the expression of mRNA coding for 5-alpha-reductase types 2 and 1 in human prostate epithelial cells. The overall results indicate that A. conyzoides may be an effective treatment for reducing symptoms of BPH in healthy men, in part, through inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase enzyme activity. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(6):789-800, 2017.

Quisqualis indica Improves Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating Prostate Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis.

Quisqualis indica (QI) has been used for treating disorders such as stomach pain, constipation, and digestion problem. This study was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of QI extract on treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line and a testosterone-induced BPH rat model. LNCaP cells were treated with QI plus testosterone propionate (TP), and androgen receptor (AR) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) expression levels were assessed by Western blotting. To induce BPH, the rats were subjected to a daily subcutaneous injection of TP (3 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The rats in treatment group were orally gavaged with QI (150 mg/kg) together with the TP injection. In-vitro studies showed that TP-induced increases in AR and PSA expression in LNCaP cells were reduced by QI treatment. In BPH-model rats, the prostate weight, testosterone in serum, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentration and 5α-reductase type 2 mRNA expression in prostate tissue were significantly reduced following the treatment with QI. TP-induced prostatic hyperplasia and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1 were significantly attenuated in QI-treated rats. In addition, QI induced apoptosis by up-regulating caspase-3 and -9 activity and decreasing the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) ratio in prostate tissues of BPH rats. Further investigation showed that TP-induced activation of AKT and glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) was reduced by QI administration. Therefore, our findings suggest that QI attenuates the BPH state in rats through anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities and might be useful in the clinical treatment of BPH.

Inhibitory effects of Ponciri Fructus on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is non-cancerous condition of enlargement of the prostate, a common occurrence in older men. The immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Rafinesque (Rutaceae), Ponciri Fructus are widely used in traditional oriental medicine for the therapy of various diseases. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of BPH. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of a Ponciri Fructus extract (PFE) on the development of BPH in a in a rat model of BPH induced by testosterone propionate (TP). METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were used as a model of BPH after its induction by daily subcutaneous injections of TP/corn oil, for a period of four weeks. PFE was administrated daily 1 h before TP/corn oil injection by oral gavage at a dose level of 200 mg/kg during the 4 weeks of TP/corn oil injections. All rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, we measured the relative prostate weight, the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), histological changes, activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase), and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In addition, we also measured the inhibition (%) of 5α-reductase in the prostatic tissue. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that PFE significantly inhibited the development of BPH; decreased the relative prostate weight, the level of testosterone and DHT in serum and prostatic tissue, prostatic hyperplasia, expression of PCNA, and increased the antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, PFE showed a weak inhibitory activity on 5α-reductase. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PFE may be used as a therapeutic agent for BPH via antiproliferative and antioxidant effects.

Androgen production in pediatric adrenocortical tumors may occur via both the classic and/or the alternative backdoor pathway.

Children with adrenocortical tumors (ACTs) often present with virilization due to high tumoral androgen production, with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as most potent androgen. Recent work revealed two pathways for DHT biosynthesis, the classic and the backdoor pathway. Usage of alternate routes for DHT production has been reported in castration-resistant prostate cancer, CAH and PCOS. To assess whether the backdoor pathway may contribute to the virilization of pediatric ACTs, we investigated seven children suffering from androgen producing tumors using steroid profiling and immunohistochemical expression studies. All cases produced large amounts of androgens of the classic and/or backdoor pathway. Variable expression of steroid enzymes was observed in carcinomas and adenomas. We found no discriminative pattern. This suggests that enhanced androgen production in pediatric ACTs is the result of deregulated steroidogenesis through multiple steroid pathways. Thus future treatments of ACTs targeting androgen overproduction should consider these novel steroid production pathways.

Effect of oral administration of Tribulus terrestris extract on semen quality and body fat index of infertile men.

Male fertility can be evaluated through complete semen analysis. Plants belonging to the Tribulus genus are known for their role in enhancing sex hormone levels and semen quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of T. terrestris on semen quality and physiological parameters. Sixty-five men with abnormal semen evaluation were included in this study, in which they were prescribed with oral administration of Androsten® (250 mg of Tribulus terrestris dried extract per capsule). Body fat percentage, lean muscle mass gain, fluctuation in steroid hormone levels and all semen parameters were analysed during the period of treatment. The results demonstrated that decrease in the percentage of body fat and increase in lean mass were significant, as well as increase in dihydrotestosterone levels. Complete semen analysis evaluated at the end of treatment showed significant enhancement in sperm concentration, motility and liquefaction time. Protodioscin, the main phytochemical agent of the Tribulus genus, acts on sertoli cells, germ cell proliferation and growth of seminiferous tubules. This component is known to convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which plays important roles in male attributes. Our results indicate the therapeutic use of Tribulus terrestris by men presenting altered semen parameters, and/or undergoing infertility treatment.

Bawu decoction () ameliorates benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Bawu Decoction (, BWD, Palmul-tang in Korean) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, with 6 rats in each group. The 4 study groups included sham-operated group (CON), BPH model group, fifinasteride-treated group, and BWD-treated group. All the groups except CON group received a subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/kg of testosterone, while CON group received saline. Finasteride at a dose of 5 mg/kg was administered to the finasteride-treated group for a period of 4 weeks. BWD group received BWD at a dose of 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks. The prostatic weight, prostate weight to body weight ratio, relative prostate weight ratio, serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) level, and histological analysis of prostatic tissue were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared to BPH model group, BWD administration was associated with reductions in prostatic weight, prostate and relative prostate weight ratio weight to body weight ratio (P<0.05). The concentration of serum testosterone and DHT were higher in BPH group compared with CON group (P<0.05). Administration of finasteride and BWD suppressed the elevation of serum testosterone and DHT levels signifificantly (both P<0.05). In addition, BWD suppressed the growth of prostatic tissue (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: BWD has suppressant effects on development of BPH through inhibition of serum testosterone and DHT.

Rice Hull Extract Suppresses Benign Prostate Hyperplasia by Decreasing Inflammation and Regulating Cell Proliferation in Rats.

Even though rice hull has various physiological functions with high antioxidant potential, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the effects of rice hull on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of rice hull water extract (RHE) against BPH, which is a common disorder in elderly men and involves inflammation that induces an imbalance between cell proliferation and cell death. In this study, RHE-treated mice exhibited lower prostate weights and ratios of prostate weight to body weight compared to those for the BPH-induced group. In addition, RHE-treated mice had lower serum levels of dihydrotestosterone, mRNA expression of 5α-reductase2, and protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Furthermore, RHE treatment significantly decreased cell proliferation by regulating the expression levels of inflammatory-related proteins (iNOS and COX-2) and apoptosis-associated proteins (Fas, FADD, procaspase-8, -3, and Bcl-2 family proteins). These results suggest that RHE could protect against the development of BPH through its anti-inflammatory and apoptotic properties and has good potential as a treatment for BPH.

Anti-Proliferation Effects of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) on the Progression of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a urologic disease that affects most of men over the age 50. But until now there is no such perfect cure without side effects. Because of diverse adverse effects, it is desirable to develop effective and long term-safety-herbal medicines to inhibit the progress of BPH. In spite of garlic's large use and a wide spectrum of studies, including anti-hyperlipidemic, cardio-protective, and anti-inflammatory activities, there was none to prove efficacy for BPH. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of garlic to prove its suppressing effects on BPH. Garlic administration decreased relative prostate weight ratio, suppressed mRNA expression level of AR, DHT serum levels, and the growth of prostatic tissue in BPH-induced rats. Moreover, garlic administration decreased the levels of inflammatory proteins, iNOS, and COX-2 in prostatic tissue. Further investigation showed that garlic induced accumulation of death-inducing signal complex and activation of AMPK and decreased the levels of anti-apoptotic proteins, such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and survivin. These results suggest that garlic may have suppressing effects on BPH and it has great potential to be developed as treatment for BPH. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.