Original Article PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF CITRULLUS LANATUS AND CURCURBITA PEPO SEEDS EXTRACT VERSUS DUTASTERIDE ON HORMONAL PARAMETERS IN BPH RATS

Abstract

Introduction: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common benign neoplasm and is possible cause of urinary obstruction in elderly males.

Aims & Objectives: The current study was to evaluate 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 samples of blood were taken on d 0, 14 and 29 day for testosterone and PSA estimation by ELISA technique.

Results & Conclusions: Prophylactic combination of 1g/kg Methanolic Extract of Citrullus Lanatus Seeds & 2.5g/kg Petroleum Ether Extract of Curcurbuta Pepo Seeds produced significant improvement serum PSA & testosterone equivalent to dutasteride. The individual herbs 2g/kg MECLS & 5 g/kg PECPS produced gradual similar improvement over prolonged duration (29 days) without any side effects. Therefore, suggesting MECLS+PECPS to be equivalently effective & safe as dutasteride in prophylaxis of BPH murine model. 

Key words: Benign prostatic hyperplasia, urine output, Dutasteride, serum PSA & Testosterone.