Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences

Volume: 35 Issue: 3

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  • Original Research Article

Methanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina may protect against experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia in an albino Wistar rat model

AHAIWE UDOCHUKWU ELVIS, IJEH IFEOMA IRENE*, EJIKE CHUKWUNONSO EMMANUEL CC

*Corresponding Author; Email: [email protected], ij ehi [email protected]
Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia Abia State, Nigeria

Year: 2013, Page: 115-120, Doi: https://doi.org/10.62029/jmaps.v35i3.Elvis

Received: March 3, 2012 Accepted: Nov. 24, 2013 Published: Dec. 31, 2013

Abstract

The effect of methanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina (MEVA) on experimental b enign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) was investigated. Thirty male albino Wistar rats aged between 9 and 12 weeks were divided into 5 Groups of 6 rats each. Group I (standard control) received the basal diet, Group II was given 500 mg/kg bw MEVA dissolved in olive oil orally and a subcutaneous injection of an equivalent volume of olive oil (Hormone vehicle), Group III and IV received 500 mg/kg bw and 100 mg/kg bwof MEVA, respectively  and subcutaneous injection of 9 mg/kg bw dihydrotestosterone and 0.9 mg/kg bw estradiol valerate every other day for 21 days. Group V received olive oil orally, and subcutaneous injection of 9 mg/kg bw and 0.9 mg/kg bw estradiol valerate. Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration (ng/ml) increased significantly in Group V (1.53 ± 1.02) in comparison to Group I (0.20± 0.26), Group II (0.13±0.23), Group III (0.23± 0.21) and Group IV (0.27 ± 0.12). There was also a significant increase (p<0.05) in relative prostate weight of Group V animals in relation to other groups. Testes weight in Group II, III and IV decreased significantly (p<0.05) in comparison to Group I and V. These findings suggest apositive protective effects of methanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina against BPH, in a rat    model.

Keywords: Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Dihydrotestosterone Prostatic, specific antigen Testes and prostrate, Vernonia amygdalina

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Cite this article

Ahaiwe Udochukwu Elvis, Ijeh Ifeoma Irene, Ejike Chukwunonso Emmanuel CC. 2013. Methanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina may protect against experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia in an albino Wistar rat model. J Med Aromat Plant Sci 35: 115-120.

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