Antioxidant capacity of Chuquiraga spinosa Less and Senecio rhizomatus Rusby and their effects on the progression of testosterone enanthate-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats

Context: Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects men older than 50 years and can progress to atypical prostatic hyperplasia. Conventional pharmacotherapy causes adverse effects, affecting adherence and leading to the use of phytotherapy as a complementary treatment. Aims: To evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Chuquiraga spinosa (ChS) and Senecio rhizomatus (SeR) and their effect on the progression of testosterone-enanthate-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats. Methods: The antioxidant capacity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of ChS and SeR was assessed by protecting erythrocytes subjected to oxidative stress with hydrogen peroxide. The progression of prostatic hyperplasia in the ventral zone of the Holtzman rat prostate gland was evaluated using an experimental design: Group I received a placebo, groups II to XI received 25 mg of intramuscular testosterone enanthate weekly for four weeks, groups III to X received extracts (ChS-250, ChS-500, SeR-250, SeR-500, ChS-250 + SeR-250, ChS-250 + SeR-500, ChS-500 + SeR-250 and ChS-500 + SeR-500 mg/kg orally), and group XI received 1 mg/kg finasteride orally for 35 days. Results: ChS and SeR protected against oxidative stress and increased plasma membrane redox activity in erythrocytes. They significantly decreased (p<0.05) prostatic index, serum PSA, and oxidative stress in prostatic tissue, with SeR-500, SeR-250, and ChS-500 mg/kg standing out. Histologically, both extracts preserved the cellular structures of the prostate and prevented progression from benign prostatic hyperplasia to atypical prostatic hyperplasia. Conclusions: ChS and SeR extracts possess antioxidant capacity and prevent the progression of prostatic hyperplasia by regulating serum PSA and oxidative stress in prostatic tissue.