Combined ethanol extract of Spermacoce radiata and Hypselodelphyspoggeana prevents renal damage and dyslipidemia in benign prostatic hyperplasia induced rats

A combined ethanol extract of Spermacoce radiata and Hypselodelphyspoggeana leaves are used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, but there is no scientific data on its safety level and effects on vital organs and biochemical parameters. This study investigated the effects of a combined ethanol extract of Spermacoce radiata and Hypselodelphyspoggeana leaves (CESHL) on the lipid profile and kidney function of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) induced rats.

A total of 21 rats were used for the acute toxicity study, while 30 were randomly distributed into five groups comprising six rats each (n = 6) for the BPH study. Group 1 served as normal control, while group 2 was BPH control that received 5 mg/kg of testosterone propionate/day for 28 consecutive days without treatment. Groups 3 – 5 received 5 mg/kg of testosterone propionate/day for 28 days but after an hour, they treated with 5 mg/kg of finasteride, 200 and 600mg/kg of CESHL/day, respectively, for 28 days.

The acute toxicity result of CESHL indicated no mortality or any sign of toxicity. Administration of the extract caused a significant reduction (p<0.05) of theprostate weight, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), urea and creatinine concentrations in the treated groups when compared to the BPH control. A significant increase (P<0.05) in High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) concentration was observed in all treated groups when compared to the BPH control group. Histological outcomes of rats’ kidneys corroborated these findings.

These results indicate that the combined extracts possess antilipidemic and nephroprotective effects, which might help in the management of complications that might arise during BPH.