The Effect of Newbouldia laevis Root and Stem Bark Extract on Testosterone Induced Prostate Hyperplasia in Albino Rats

Background and Aim: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-malignant tumor of the prostate gland, common among the elderly men, and has been treated in the past with natural product of plant. Newbouldia laevis (N. laevis) is a medicinal plant that has been utilized in the treatment of various diseases but not prostate tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic impact of Newbouldia laevis root and stem bark extract on testosterone induced prostate hyperplasia in albino rats.

Experimental Procedure: Twenty male albino rats were divided into 4 groups (N=5): HA (Negative control), HB (model hyperplasia), HC (high dose extract treatment), and HD (low dose extract treatment). The experimental animals were induced for BPH, and thereafter treated with 1000 mg/ kg body weight (HC) and 500 mg/kg body weight (HD). Samples were collected from the animals for experimental analysis.

Results and Conclusion: There was significant increase in prostate index, epithelial proliferation, PAS positivity, Ki67 expression, serum IL-6, total protein and testosterone in the model hyperplasia group. All these recorded changes are significantly (P<0.05) reversed among Newbouldia laevis extract treated groups. GCMS analysis of the plant extract revealed important bioactive substances including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor agents. Toxicity study revealed an oral lethal dose of over 5000 mg/kg body weight. This study shows that N. laevis root - stem extract has the propensity to alleviate prostate tumors possibly through anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, and serum testosterone down regulation mechanisms.