Combined ethanol extract of Hypselodelphys poggeana and Spermacoce radiata leaves ameliorate benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats via modulation of serum sex hormonal levels

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of a combined ethanol extract of and Hypselodelphys poggeana and Spermacoce radiata leaves (CESHL) on sex hormone levels and prostate weights of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) induced rats. The combined extract was prepared from the plants and was subjected to acute toxicity (LD50) evaluation in rats. The study adopted five groups of rats (n = 6) with group 1 being the normal control without BPH induction, group 2 was the BPH control, group 3 was the finasteride control, and groups 4 and 5 were BPH induced rats treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg CESHL/day for 28 days. Induction of prostate hyperplasia in rats belonging to groups 2-5 was done via daily subcutaneous administration of testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days in accordance with standard protocols. The result obtained in the acute toxicity evaluation indicated an LD50 value of above 5000 mg/kg body weight. In the main study, a significant increase (P