International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VII, Issue VIII, August 2022 | ISSN 2454–6194
Chukwu-Eze U.S.1, Mairiga J.P.1*, Ijeomah A.U.1, Enemali, M.O.2, Ukeagbu, M.C.3, Maiva E.P.1, Kasar, S.1, Iwuozor, C.R1
1Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Nigeria
2Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
3Department of Biology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
*Corresponding author
Abstract: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a debilitating condition that enlarges the prostate and surrounding tissues mostly in men in their 50’s. This inflammatory process can lead to uncontrolled passage of urine, incomplete urine flow, dribbling at the end of urine stream, hematuria and inability to ejaculate. Zingiber officinale (Zo) and Solanum lycopersicum (Sl) are known to have anti-proliferative, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effect on the prostate. A completely randomized experimental design was used for this study. A comparative analysis of the two plant extracts were carried out against the standard drug dutasteride (Brand name: Tamsudart) on male albino rats for 30 days. The animals were grouped into six. Analysis of Prostate Specific Antigen, C-reactive protein, Serum electrolytes, and stress markers such as malondialdehyde were assayed, and the prostate weight checked. The positive control group were slightly elevated p<0.05, the standard drug and Zingiber officinale (Zo) extract group had a significant reduction of tumour, while the Solanum lycopersicum (Sl) group was not significant. The cocktail group of 100mg Zo and 100mg Sl were effective in reducing prostate size. The combination of the two plants as a cocktail gave a synergistic effect in reducing prostate size but singly Zo had a better outcome than Sl. This study is tailored towards averting surgical procedures like open prostatectomy and Trans urethral resection of the prostate with attendant complications. The study is therefore of immense health care and economic benefit to especially third world nations where poverty, health care facilities and human resource are grossly inadequate or completely absent as evident in this post-pandemic era.
Key words: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, Zingiber officinale, Solanum lycopersicum.
I. INTRODUCTION
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an inflammation of the prostate and areas surrounding it. It is one of the most common urinary diseases affecting men, generally after the age of 50 (Csikos et al., 2021). Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a prevalent disease with significant health and economic impacts on patients and health organisations across the world, whilst the cause/initiation of the disease process has still not been fully determined. It is estimated to affect about 50-61% of the men population as they age due to unregulated hyperplastic growth of the epithelial and fibromuscular tissues of the transition zone and periurethral area. (Devlin et al., 2021). The mortality rates arising from prostate hyperplasia forms like prostate cancer has also risen to 3.8% globally. A recent study has put the lifetime prevalence worldwide at 26.2%, with no statistically significant change in this rate over the last 20 years (Lee et al.,2017)