Phenolic compound contents and effect of aqueous extract of Cordyline fruticosa leaves on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in male Wistar rats

Aim: Benign prostatic hyperplasia has become a major public health problem. This study aimed to evaluate the phenolic compound contents and the effect of the aqueous extract of Cordyline fruticosa leaves on benign prostatic hyperplasia induced in Wistar rats.

Method: The phenolic compound contents were determined using colorimetric methods. To study the effect of the aqueous extract on benign prostatic hyperplasia, one group of male rats served as normal controls, while four groups of male rats received subcutaneous injections of testosterone propionate for 28 days. Among these four groups of male rats, one group of rats received no treatment, while the other three groups received daily oral doses of 200; 400 mg/kg body weight of Cordyline fruticosa aqueous extract and 10 mg/kg body weight of finasteride for 28 days. Rats were sacrificed at the end of the study and their blood was collected for biological analyses. Prostates of the rats from the different batches were also weighed at the end of the study.

Results: The aqueous extract of Cordyline fruticosa recorded total phenol contents andtotal flavonoidsrespective of92.34 ± 2.87 mg EAG/gof extractAnd15.21 ± 2.59 mg EQ/g of extract. The aqueous extract of C. fruticosa at doses of 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw significantly reduced prostate weight in diseased rats. Also, these extracts had positive actions on hematological and biochemical parameters evaluated during benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Conclusion: These results justify the use of Cordyline fruticosa in African pharmacopoeia for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.