Telfairia occidentalis Leaf and Seed Extracts as Possible Preventive and Therapeutic Agents for Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Aim: The efficacy of Telfairia occidentalis leaf and seed as herbal extracts in the management of induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Wistar rats was investigated.

Methodology: Fifty adult male Wistar rats in 10 equal groups were utilized for the study. BPH was induced in nine groups. One group, (CN) served as normal control and the last, (CI) as positive control. Groups ALC and ELC respectively had aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaf while ASC and ESC groups had the respective seed extracts. All these four groups had concurrent administration of the extracts. The groups ALP, ELP, ASP and ESP had the respective extract administered after induction of BPH. At the expiration of the experiment, blood samples were collected for leukocyte count and estimation of levels of antioxidants. The animals were subsequently sacrificed and the harvested prostate glands were processed for light microscopy.

Results: Groups ELC and ESP had significantly lower body weight change when compared with CI. The mean prostate weights (g) of ALP, ALC, ELC, ASC and ESC (0.09±0.02, 0.19±0.01, 0.17±0.02, 0.25±0.05 and 0.21±0.03) were significantly higher than that of CN. The MDA levels (µmol/mg) of ALP, ELP, ASP, ESP, ELC and ASC (9.51±1.20, 9.51±0.42, 10.21±1.03, 9.64±1.11, 7.85±0.66 and 9.06±1.37) were significantly lower than the positive control (CI) value (10.32±1.92) but markedly higher than that of CN (6.80±0.15). The glutathione peroxidase activities (µmol/mg) of ALP, ELP, ASP, ESP, ALC, ELC, ASC and ESC (5.80±0.25, 6.01±0.37, 5.95±0.17, 5.96±0.20, 6.07±0.11,6.12±0.14,6.07±0.10 and 6.10±0.25) were significantly higher than that of group CI (5.66±0.19 ) but lower than CN (6.71±0.09). The catalase activities (µmol/mg) of ALP, ELP, ASP, ESP, ALC, ELC, ASC and ESC (1.60±0.12, 1.56±0.17, 1.68±0.13, 1.68±0.13, 2.40±0.45, 4.28±0.37, 2.42±0.42 and 2.40±0.40) were significantly higher than that of group CI (1.20±0.16) but lower than CN (4.70±0.20). For superoxide dismutase (µmol/mg); the groups ALP, ELP, ASP,ESP, ALC,ELC ,ASC and ESC levels were significantly higher than CI but lower than CN (0.21±0.03, 0.21±0.02, 0.22±0.03, 0.18±0.04, 0.33±0.01, 0.33±0.04, 0.28±0.02 and 0.21±0.00; vs 0.03±0.01; vs 0.53±0.10).

The histology of the prostate gland of the CI group showed marked epithelial and stromal hyperplasia typical of BPH. Similar degree of hyperplasia could be seen in the ELC while the remaining three concurrent groups (ASC, ESC and ALC) showed lesser degree of epithelial and stromal hyperplasia.

Conclusion: The study findings are: (1) Telfairia occidentalis extracts shrink the enlarged prostate gland. (2) Telfairia occidentalis extracts reduce the severity of the associated prostatitis. (3) Telfairia occidentalis (seed and leaf) ameliorate the testosterone effects. (4) Telfairia occidentalis (extracts) reduce the size of prostate with Benign Hyperpasia by prevention of oxidative stress. The seed and leaf of Telfairia occidentalis thus appear to have a positive role to play in the non surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.