Stem bark extract of Mangifera indica prevents testosterone-induced benign prostate hyperplasia in rats

Background: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common conditions affecting up to 80% of th men in their 8 decade of life. Mangifera indica Linn stem bark is used in traditional African medicine for the treatment of cancer, prostate hyperplasia, prostatitis and diabetes.

Objective: This study sought to investigate the effect of hydroethanolic stem bark extract of Mangifera indica (MI) on testosterone-induced BPH in rats.

Methods: BPH was induced in male albino rats (200-250g; n=8) through subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg, in 10% olive oil) for 4 weeks. MI (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (10 ml/kg, p.o.) was administered 15 min before testosterone injection. On day 29, the animals were anaesthetized and blood collected for estimation of serum testosterone and prostate specific antigen (PSA). The prostates were excised, weighed and subjected to biochemical and histological studies.

Results: subcutaneous injection of testosterone caused significant increase in prostate weight (2.83 folds), prostatic index (3.24 folds), serum testosterone (2.29 folds) and PSA (1.83 fold) levels indicative of BPH which was ameliorated by pretreatment of rats with MI. Testosterone also increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level but decreased glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities indicating oxidative stress which was attenuated by MI treatment. The alteration in the morphology of the prostate induced by testosterone was prevented by MI administration.

Conclusion: The results obtained from this study showed that Mangifera indica stem bark extract prevented testosterone-induced BPH through enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanisms. Thus, could be a potential phytotherapeutic agent in the management of BPH.