Evaluation of Therapeutic Potential of Plantain Root Extract in Testosterone-Induced BPH in Male Albino Rats

Plantain root extract (Musa paradisiaca) used as herbal treatment of various disease condition was used to treat testosterone-propionate induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in male Albino rats. Thirty six (36) male Albino rats weighing between 180 - 240g were used for this study. Benign prostatic hyperplasia was induced by daily injection of 4mg/kg of testosterone propionate for 12 days. Each rat in the appropriate groups was given 4mg/kg of TP dissolved in 1ml of vehicle oil. The rats were grouped into 6 groups of 6 rats each as follows: Group 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 known as negative control, positive control, plantain root extract, Avodart treated, combination therapy and prophylactic groups respectively. The treatment was done using 1000mg/kg of plantain root extract for 28 days. The rats were sacrificed on the 29th day after an overnight fast and blood samples were collected into lithium heparin bottles. The conventional drugs used for the management of BPH have been reported to have some undesirable side effects, this study evaluated the therapeutic potential of plantain root extract in albino rats. The plantain root extract was prepared by maceration infusion method using ethanol. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), oxidative stress markers Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Prostate weights of the rats were measured. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the plantain root extract was determined. After BPH induction, the PSA level of the rats in the treatment groups 3 and 5, showed significant decrease (p<0.05) compared to the positive control, the rats treated with Avodart showed more decrease compared to the negative control group. There was no significant difference in the SOD levels of the rats in the three treatment groups (3-5). The prostate weight of the rats in the extract/avodart groups was significantly decreased to levels comparable to negative control group. From the results of this study plantain root extract has the potential to ameliorate BPH. The combination with avodart, showed therapeutic effects indicating that there was no negative interaction. The extract exhibited antioxidant properties.