Onyeka Gloria OJEI

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to a progressive, non-malignant enlargement of the prostate that is associated with urinary obstruction, hormonal imbalances, oxidative stress, and systemic hematological disruptions. Due to the side effects and high costs of conventional therapies, there is growing interest in medicinal plants such as Picralima nitida, which has traditionally been used to treat urinary tract disorders and inflammation. This study investigates the effects of an extract from the stem bark of Picralima nitida on hematological parameters and prostate health in male albino rats with testosterone-induced BPH. Fresh stem bark of Picralima nitida was collected, shade-dried, pulverized, and extracted using distilled water through decoction. The rats were divided into six (6) groups of five (5) rats each: a normal control group, a BPH-induced control group, a group was given Testosterone Pionate and standard, a group was treated with the standard medication finasteride, and two groups receiving different oral doses of the stem bark extract for a set treatment period. BPH was induced using subcutaneous testosterone propionate. Hematological parameters, including red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, and differential leukocyte indices, were measured using automated hematology procedures. Prostate weight, prostate index, and histopathological examinations were performed to assess prostate architecture and inflammation. The results showed that BPH induction led to a significant decrease in RBC indices and an increase in WBC counts and the prostate index compared to the normal control group. Treatment with the Picralima nitida extract significantly improved parameters related to anemia, reduced the elevation of inflammatory leukocyte counts, and resulted in a marked decrease in the prostate index and tissue hyperplasia, similar to the effects of finasteride, in a dosedependent manner. This study concludes that the stem bark of Picralima nitida has promising hepatoprotective and anti-BPH effects, supporting its potential as a safe and affordable phototherapeutic alternative for managing BPH and minimizing associated ematological complications