THE EFFECT OF PEPPERMINT LEAF EXTRACT ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA IN RAT: HISTOLOGICAL, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES

Introduction: Among old age men, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) represents one of the most frequent medical conditions which affects about 50% of males over fifty with a major hazardous effect on the general quality of life. Drugs used to manage BPH have advanced adverse effects. Peppermint leaves contain potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant agents, and may have anti-androgenic properties. Aim: This study used histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical techniques to investigate the peppermint leaf extract potential protective effect against testosterone-induced benign hyperplasia of the prostate among adult and elderly rats.Materials and Methods: 48 healthy male Wister rats with two age groups (3 and 24 months) were divided into 4 groups; control, peppermint extract (600mg/kg/d orally), BPH group was subdivided into two subgroups in adult and old age rats (testosterone 3 mg/kg/d s.c), Peppermint and BPH group was subdivided into two subgroups in adult and old age rats received both testosterone and peppermint extract for 3 weeks. Body weight, prostatic index besides biochemical analyses were conducted. After scarification of rats, the prostate was subjected to histological and immunohistochemical studies.Results: In the BPH group, significant increases in the body weight, prostatic index, PSA, DHT, prostatic tissue content of MDA were recorded while SOD significantly decreased. Testosterone elevated the serum lipid profile of TAG, TC, LDL and decreased HDL level. Histologically, BPH subgroups showed signs of hyperplasia of the epithelium and stroma but these signs were more obvious in old age rats. While subgroups treated with peppermint showed almost normal histological architecture, as well as biochemical and morphometric characteristics.Conclusion: Peppermint leaf extract affords protection against BPH.