title: Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Effects of Withania coagulans Extract on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disorder in elderly men. Phytotherapy is frequently used to alleviate the symptoms of this condition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated the effect of Withania coagulans extract (WCE), which is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, and anti-cancer properties, on testosterone-induced BPH in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty Wistar rats were divided into five groups (each n = 8): the control group, the untreated BPH group, and three WCE-treated groups (WCE250, 500, and 1000). BPH was induced with 3 mg/kg subcutaneous injections of testosterone propionate for four weeks. WCE was concomitantly administrated by oral gavage. At the end of the induction schedule, the animals were sacrificed and their prostate glands were dissected, weighed, and fixed for histological examination (H&E and proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] staining). Half of each sample was prepared for measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels in the prostate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study revealed that BPH caused elevation of MDA levels, suppression of TAC levels, and increased PCNA expression in the prostate gland. Interestingly, in a dose-dependent manner, WCE caused decreased MDA levels and increased TAC levels in the prostate gland, compared to the untreated BPH group. Histopathological examinations showed a reduction in PCNA expression in the prostate epithelium of the WCE animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  W. coagulans inhibits the development of BPH can be useful for the treatment of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarbishegi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohaddeseh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khani
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Saeedeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant, High Complex Education of Saravan, Saravan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohharam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fereydoon
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sargolzaei Aval
keywords: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen, Rats; Withania coagulans