Phytosterol-enriched fraction of <i>Morinda lucida</i> extract inhibits testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent disorder among ageing men and could lead to prostatic carcinoma if not managed early and properly. Although orthodox drugs have been used for managing BPH, they have various side effects which necessitated the search for alternatives, especially from plant sources. Plants such as Morinda lucida have been forklorically used to manage the condition. This study was designed to investigate the effect of the phytosterol-rich extract of Morinda lucida leaf on testosterone-induced BPH in rats. Thirty rats were administered treatment for twenty-eight days as follows: Normal control (NC), BPH control, 200 mg/kg Morinda lucida Phytosterol-enriched Extract (MLPE), 400 mg/kg MLPE extract, and 1 mg/kg Finasteride group . After twenty-eight days, BPH control, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg extract, and finasteride groups received 5mg/kg testosterone subcutaneously for another twenty-eight days along their various treatments. The rats were fasted overnight, sacrificed, and the testes were excised. Sperm parameters were carried out under light microscopy. Antioxidant assays were done using spectrophotometry. Inflammatory biomarkers were assayed via the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay method. The results showed a significant reduction in the sperm motility, count and viability status of BPH control relative to NC. However, BPH rats treated with MLPE significantly increased the parameters. Malondialdehyde concentration was high, while GSH level, GPx, and catalase activities were low in BPH rats relative to NC. Conversely, antioxidant status was normalized as a result of MLPE administration. Elevation in TNF-α and interleukin-1β was observed in BPH control compared to NC. Nevertheless, there were significant decreases in the inflammatory biomarkers in groups administered MLPE relative to BPH rats.The above results suggest that MLPE exerts its effects via free radical scavenging, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities . It could therefore be concluded that MLPE could serve as a promising therapeutic agent for the prevention and management of BPH.