Protective Effects of Achyranthes bidentata Root Extract Against Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Induced by Testosterone Propionate in Rats

Background/Objectives: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prevalent among older men and is often accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including storage and voiding symptoms. Achyranthis Radix, the root of Achyranthes bidentata, is commonly used as a functional food in Asia and has been documented in traditional medicine for conditions associated with LUTS. However, its effects on BPH have not been experimentally investigated. Therefore, this study evaluated an ethanolic extract of Achyranthis Radix (ARE) in a rat model of testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH.

Methods

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups: sham, control, finasteride (1 mg/kg), and ARE (30, 100, or 300 mg/kg). BPH was induced in all groups except the sham group by castration followed by subcutaneous administration of TP (3 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. ARE and finasteride were orally administered once daily concurrently with TP treatment. Prostate weight, prostate index, histological changes, serum androgen levels, androgen receptor (AR) expression, and apoptosis-related proteins were evaluated.