ABSTRACT
Title
The combination of Serenoa Repens, Selenium and Lycopene is more effective than Serenoa Repens alone in preventing ormone-dependent prostatic growth
Authors
L. Minutoli1, F. Squadrito1 , A. Bitto1, N. Irrera1, H. Marini2, G. Morgia3, D. Altavilla1
1Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy,
2 Department of Biochemical, Physiological and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Physiology and Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
3 Department of Urology, Polyclinic Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
1Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy,
2 Department of Biochemical, Physiological and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Physiology and Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
3 Department of Urology, Polyclinic Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Abstract
Serenoa Repens (SeR) is frequently associated with other natural compounds such as lycopene (Ly), a carotenoid, and selenium (Se), an essential trace element, to increase its therapeutic activity in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We showed that the Ly-Se-SeR association has a greater and enhanced anti-inflammatory activity that might be of particular interest in the treatment of BPH. Administration of testosterone in rats is a suitable tool for investigating hormone-dependent BPH. We performed a comparison experiment between SeR and the Ly-Se-SeR association on prostate growth induced in rats by testosterone administration.
Rats were treated, daily, with testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg/sc) or its vehicle for 14 days. Testosterone administered animals were randomized to receive vehicle, SeR (25 mg/kg/sc) or the Ly-Se-SeR association (Ly, 1 mg/kg/sc; Se, 3 mg/kg/sc) for 14 days. Animals were then sacrificed and prostate removed for analysis.
The Ly-Se-SeR association was more effective that SeR alone in reducing prostate weight and hyperplasia, in augmenting the pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase-9 and blunting the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 mRNA. Ly-Se-SeR also markedly reduced the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) expression.
The data obtained from the present study indicate that Ly-Se-SeR association is superior to SeR alone in reducing hormone-dependent prostatic growth.
Rats were treated, daily, with testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg/sc) or its vehicle for 14 days. Testosterone administered animals were randomized to receive vehicle, SeR (25 mg/kg/sc) or the Ly-Se-SeR association (Ly, 1 mg/kg/sc; Se, 3 mg/kg/sc) for 14 days. Animals were then sacrificed and prostate removed for analysis.
The Ly-Se-SeR association was more effective that SeR alone in reducing prostate weight and hyperplasia, in augmenting the pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase-9 and blunting the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 mRNA. Ly-Se-SeR also markedly reduced the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) expression.
The data obtained from the present study indicate that Ly-Se-SeR association is superior to SeR alone in reducing hormone-dependent prostatic growth.