OGBONNIA EZE OKAH

Acalypha indica Linn. stem, a widely utilised medicinal plant in traditional health systems, was investigated for its phytochemical composition, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) activities. The stem bark was successfully extracted with ethyl acetate using cold maceration techniques. The phytochemical examination, antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory activity, glucose adsorption assay, and in vivo anti- BPH evaluation were carried out using established analytical methods.Phytochemical profiling using GC–FID revealed appreciable levels of phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids, including ephedrine (19.21 mg/g), cortisol (10.06 mg/g), rutin (0.64 mg/g) and quercetin (0.50 mg/g), alongside phenolic compounds such as resveratrol (1.43 mg/g). The antioxidant potential were examined using Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) Assay. The extract
displayed concentration-dependent total antioxidant capacity, increasing from approximately 15%-19.7% across near 0–80 mg/mL concentration. In anti-inflammatory assessment, the extract significantly inhibited heat-induced haemolysis, with values increasing from approximately 45% to 55% inhibition at the highest concentration, indicating potent membrane-stabilising ability. In anti-diabetic evaluation, the glucose adsorption capacity of the extract ranged from 1.38–0.17 mM/g at (0–80 mg/mL glucose) concentration, having higher adsorption at 20mg/ml lower than acarbose (4.84–10.78 mM/g), but showing inconsistent adsorption behaviour across concentrations. In testosterone-induced BPH rats, the extract produced significant modulation of prostate biomarkers. Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) decreased from 2.40 ± 0.64 ng/mL in testosterone induced BPH control to 1.37 ± 0.03, 1.07 ± 0.09 and 1.17 ± 0.15 ng/mL at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, approaching values similar to normal control at higher doses. dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels reduced from 66.23 ± 11.03 ng/mL in testosterone induced BPH control to 47.70 ± 3.91, 38.40 ± 4.33 and 42.30 ± 5.08 ng/mL, while prostate volume and weight were markedly lowered, with 100 mg/kg producing the greatest reduction (0.06 ± 0.01 mL and 0.190 ± 0.01 g), comparable to finasteride -a standard control drug. All extract-treated groups showed consistent increases in body weight over 14 days, particularly at 50 and 100 mg/kg, indicating
good tolerance. The combined antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities demonstrated the protective ability of the extract against BPH-associated changes. These findings conclude that Acalypha indica stem extract possesses promising therapeutic
potential as a natural agent for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia, warranting further toxicological and clinical investigations.