Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Rising incidences of benign and cancerous tumours, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)and prostate cancer, coupled with the unpleasant side effects of current therapy, suggest a needtosearch for new drug molecules. The stem bark of Lonchocarpus grif onianus G. Don(Fabaceae) is an important medicinal plant used in Nigeria to treat BPH and other tumourrelated ailments. No pharmacological study on the use of the plant for treating BPHhas beenreported. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of L. grif onianus (LG) on BPH. Two organs (stem and root barks) of LG were identified, collected, pulverized and extractedwithabsolute methanol (99 %) using a Soxhlet extractor. Comparative preliminary biological
evaluations were done on the L. grif onianus stem bark (LGSB) extract and root bark (LGRB)extracts using two benchtop assays (cytotoxic and antiproliferative). The acute toxicity of theLGstem bark extract was done using a modified Lorke's method. The extract was subjectedtoVacuum Liquid Chromatography (VLC) and Gravity Column Chromatography (GCC) toobtaintwo isolated compounds, LO1 and LO2. The compounds were subjected to MS and 1DNMRanalysis for identification. The isolated compounds (LO1 and LO2) were subjected to cytotoxicevaluation on human prostate (PC3) and uterine cervical cancer (Hela) cell lines using a 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Anti-BPHevaluationwasdone on the extract and LO1 using testosterone-induced BPH in the rat model. BPHwas inducedby the administration of testosterone propionate (4 mg/kg, s.c., in olive oil) for 28 days. LGSBextract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), LO1 (5 mg/kg), LGSB extract (200 mg/kg)+finasteride(5mg/kg) and finasteride (5 mg/kg) were orally administered daily. On day 29, the rats weresacrificed under anaesthesia and blood was collected via the abdominal aorta. The collectedblood was centrifuged, and the serum was separated. The serum was analyzed for biochemical
parameters such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone and estradiol. The prostatewasharvested for histological examination. The wet weight and volume of the prostate were taken. The prostate index (PI) was calculated. All data were expressed as mean ± SEM(standarderrorof the mean) and were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA), The result of preliminary evaluations indicated that the LGSB extract has a higher activity(100±0.00% mortality at 80 µg/mL) than the LGRB extract (3.33 ± 1.29%at 80 µg/mL). Acutetoxicity results revealed no mortality in both phases after oral administration with LD50>5000mg/kg. LO1 and LO2 significantly inhibited the multiplication of PC3 and Hela cells invitro.

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