Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prostate gland is an exocrine gland that could be affected by various pathological conditions. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-dependent medical condition caused by increased activity of 5α-reductase enzyme (5α-R). Medical treatment by finasteride is considered during treatment, but it has unavoidable side effects. Hence, there is an increasing need to use natural ingredients for BPH treatment. Gingerol oil (ginger extract) is transferred by heating into zingerone. Recent studies reported the effect of zingerone on prostate cancer cells. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present research is to investigate the protective effect of zingerone against BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male Albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group, prostatic hyperplasia group treated with saline, and prostatic hyperplasia group treated with zingerone (PH-Z-G). At day 28, all rats were sacrificed, epididymis and prostate samples were collected for histopathological examination and Western blotting for androgen receptors (ARs) proteins and steroid 5 alpha-reductase 1 (SRD5A1). Human RWPE-1 prostatic cell line was assessed for viability and cycle after treated with zingerone 500 μg/day for 10 days. RESULTS: PH-S group showed significant (P < 0.05) thickening of connective tissue septa associated with narrowing of acinar lumen. PH-Z group showed regain of the normal histological feature. SRD5A1 and AR expression was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in PH-Z group in comparison with PH-S group. Cell line proliferation was significantly reduced after application of zingerone with G2/M cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that natural herbal zingerone decreased the prostatic tissue levels of (5α reductase and AR) in rat BPH model, which could be a promising herbal medicine for BPH treatment. Further human clinical trials are required.