Effects of combined ethanolicic extracts of <I>Funtumia africana</I> and <I>Abutilon mauritianum</I> leaves on sex hormones and prostate indices of benign prostatic hyperplasia induced rats

Abstract

his study evaluated the effects of a combined ethanolic extract of Funtumia africana and Abutilon mauritianum leaves (CFAAM) on the sex steroid hormone levels and prostate indices of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) induced rats to validate their anti-BPH activities as claimed by traditional medicine healers. 30 male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group 1 served as the normal control that received normal saline and olive oil only, while groups 2 – 5 were BPH induced. Group 2 was the BPH control, group 3 was treated with 5 mg/kg/d Finasteride, while groups 4 and 5 were treated with 200 and 600 mg/kg/d CFAAM respectively for 28 days. BPH induction caused significant (p<0.05) increases in the concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and estradiol, increased prostate weight and prostate index in the BPH control when compared with the normal control. Treatment with CFAAM significantly (p<0.05) reversed the increased testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and estradiol levels,
prostate weight, and prostate indices in comparison with the BPH control. This study revealed that the CFAAM ameliorate adverse effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats and may be useful in the management of individuals with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Keywords: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Sex hormones, Prostate indices, Funtumia africana, Abutilon mauritianum