Preclinical evaluation of waste-derived pomegranate extract (PWE) as a potential preventing and therapeutic agent for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses revealed that testosterone administration reduced the expression of PECAM-1 and increased the levels of NRF2, HO-1, and IL1R1, consistently with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Co-treatment with PWE restored these markers toward control levels, indicating attenuation of testosterone-driven molecular alterations. Proteomic profiling further demonstrated that testosterone dysregulated proteins involved in mitochondrial function, redox balance, and DNA repair; on the contrary, PWE normalized their levels and enhanced antioxidant enzymes. In periprostatic adipose tissue, PWE counteracted testosterone-induced upregulation of HO-1, NRF2, and GPX4. Overall, PWE mitigates oxidative, inflammatory, and metabolic dysfunctions associated with experimental BPH, supporting its potential as a sustainable natural chemopreventive strategy.