Evaluating Carthamus Oxyacantha For 5α-Reductase Inhibition: Therapeutic Perspectives In BPH
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Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in older men, marked by the enlargement of the prostate gland due to increased growth of stromal and epithelial cells. Among elderly men, BPH is the fourth most frequently diagnosed condition and the primary cause of lower urinary tract symptoms. Histological data indicate that BPH affects over half of men by age 60 and nearly 90% by age 85. This condition is strongly linked to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen derived from testosterone through the action of the enzyme 5α-reductase, which drives prostate growth. Although the exact mechanisms behind BPH are not fully clarified, DHT and other androgens are considered key contributors, making the inhibition of DHT production a valuable approach for reducing prostate growth.
In this study, we conducted in vitro tests to assess the 5α-reductase inhibitory potential of Carthamus oxyacantha extracts. Prostate homogenates were used to prepare enzyme solutions, and enzyme concentration was measured with the Bradford reagent. The inhibitory activity was evaluated using a standard testosterone curve, with peak areas monitored by HPLC at 254 nm, using a methanol(70:30) mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Optimal enzyme concentration was determined by adjusting enzyme levels while maintaining constant substrate concentrations.
The findings showed that the n-hexane fraction of the methanolic extract of Carthamus oxyacantha displayed significant 5α-reductase inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of 0.301 mg. Other fractions and extracts, however, did not exhibit substantial inhibitory effects. These results suggest that Carthamus oxyacantha, particularly its n-hexane fraction, may offer therapeutic potential for BPH treatment through effective inhibition of 5α-reductase.
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References
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