This study sought to evaluate the protective effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Moringa Oleifera (M. oleifera ) on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in male Sprague-Dawley rats.
BPH was induced in rats by administration of testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg, s.c., in olive oil) for 4 weeks. M. oleifera (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg), celecoxib (20 mg/kg) or M. oleifera (50 mg/kg) + celecoxib (20 mg/kg) were orally administered daily 15 min before testosterone. On day 29, blood was collected to measure the levels of serum testosterone and prostate specific antigen before the animals were sacrificed. The prostates were weighed, assayed and histologically examined.
M. oleifera significantly reduced testosterone-induced increase in prostate weight (20.16%), prostatic index (65.85%), serum testosterone (72.86%) and prostate specific antigen (48.49%). Testosterone caused significant increase in malondialdehyde (73.00%) as well as reduction in glutathione (62.50%), superoxide dismutase (50.00%) and catalase (64.00%) activities which were attenuated by M. oleifera with peak effect obtained at 100 mg/kg. The disruption of prostate histoarchitecture by testosterone was also ameliorated by M. oleifera.
M. oleifera prevented testosterone-induced BPH through enhancement of antioxidant defence mechanisms, hence could be used as adjunct in the treatment of BPH. <br><br> <br><br> <br><br>.
Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre. 2017 Dec 17 [Epub ahead of print]
Ismail Ishola, Charles Anunobi, Kayode Yemitan, Olasunmbo Afolayan, Tobi Durojaiye