Abstract

EFFECTS OF COMBINED METHANOL SEEDS EXTRACTS OF CITRULLUS LANATUS AND ANNONA MURICATA ON MALE HORMONE PROFILE AND PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA) LEVEL IN DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE-INDUCED BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLAXIA IN MALE WISTAR ALBINO RATS

*Ihejieto H. A., Kalu M. U., Joel O. M. and Anyanwu C. N.

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Abstract

Benign Prostatic Hyperplaxia (BPH) also called prostate gland enlargement is a common condition as men grow old. This study investigated the effects of combined methanol seeds extracts of Citrullus lanatus (CLSE) and Annona muricata (AMSE) on male hormone profile and Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) level in dihydrotestosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplaxia in male Wistar albino rats using standard laboratory techniques. A total of fifty-eight male rats were used for this study; eighteen for acute toxicity test, nine per dose of extract. Doses used were 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000 and 5000mg/kg bw. Fourty rats were used for the main study, divided into eight groups of five rats each. The groups were designated as normal control (not induced), positive control (induced and Finasteride), disease (negative) control (induced and untreated), and Test groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The test groups were induced and treated with 500mg/kg bw of CLSE, 500mg/kg bw of AMSE, 250/250mg/kg bw CLSE/AMSE, 125/375mg/kg bw CLSE/AMSE, 375/125mg/kg bw CLSE/AMSE, respectively. The study lasted for 28 days. Data obtained were analyzed using Duncan multiple range test. The results showed LD50 of CLSE to be above 5000mg/kg bw and AMSE, 4000mg/kg bw. Values for average percentage change in weight, relative prostate and testes weight, serum PSA, testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels for the disease control were high. While, the values for these parameters for test group 3, were close to those obtained for the positive control, but were statistically different (p

Keywords: Combined methanol seeds extracts, Citrullus lanatus, Annona muricata, Dihydrotestosterone-induced, Benign prostatic hyperplaxia.