PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF CITRULLUS LANATUS & CURCURBITA PEPO SEEDS EXTRACT VERSUS DUTASTERIDE ON HORMONAL PARAMETERS IN BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA RATS

Abstract

Background:

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common benign neoplasm and is a possible cause of urinary obstruction in elderly males.The current study evaluated the Prophylactic effect of Citrullus lanatus and Curcurbita Pepo seeds extract versus Dutasteride on hormonal parameters in BPH rats.

Material and Methods:

Over the 29-day research period, 42 healthy adult male albino rats were divided into 6 groups of 7 animals, except group 1, each received daily testosterone 3mg/kg s.c and medications as per designated groups for initial 14 days for BPH induction & from 15-29 days for maintenance. Group 1 was normal healthy control & 2 was disease control. Other groups were group 3 (3mg/kg Testosterone s.c + 0.5mg/kg dutasteride p.o), group 4 (3mg/kg Testosterone + 2g/kg Methanolic Extract of Citrullus Lanatus Seeds, MECLS p.o), group 5 (3mg/kg Testosterone s.c + 5g/kg Petroleum Ether Extract of Curcurbuta Pepo Seeds, PECPS p.o) & group 6 (3mg/kg Testosterone s.c + 1g/kg MECLS p. o+2.5g/kg PECPS p.o). Their blood samples were taken on d 0, 14 and 29 days for testosterone and PSA estimation by ELISA technique.

Results:

Prophylactic combination of 1g/kg Methanolic Extract of Citrullus Lanatus Seeds & 2.5g/kg Petroleum Ether Extract of Curcurbuta Pepo Seeds produced significant improvement in serum PSA & testosterone equivalent to Dutasteride. The individual herbs 2g/kg MECLS & 5 g/kg PECPS produced gradual similar improvement over a prolonged duration (29 days) without any side effects.

Conclusions:

This suggests MECLS+PECPS to be equivalently effective & safe as Dutasteride in the prophylaxis of the BPH murine model.