Protective effects of Echinops echinatus on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats

Aim: Echinops echinatus is one of the plants marketed as 'Brahmadandi' in India. Brahmadandi has the reputation of a potent aphrodisiac and hence it should have an androgenic mode of action. Previous reports on E. echinatus suggest an antiandrogenic action for the plant. The present study was undertaken to find out whether E. echinatus can be used as clinically effective medicine for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) where antiandrogenic agents are useful. Methodology: In vitro studies were conducted to assess the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitory potential of E. echinatus. This was followed by in vivo studies on the potent extracts. Testosterone (3 mg kg(-1), s.c.) was administered to the rats along with the test extracts (50 and 100 mg kg(-1), p.o.) for a period of 28 days. Finasteride was used as positive control (1 mg kg(-1), p.o.). Results: E. echinatus extracts attenuated the increase in the prostatic/body weight ratio induced by testosterone. Butanolic fraction of ethanolic extract exhibited the best activity. Testosterone levels measured weekly and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels measured at the end of the study support our postulations. Further histological studies have shown a considerable improvement in the prostatic histoarchitecture in the extract-treated groups when compared with testosterone treated group. Conclusion: Our studies suggest that the use of E. echinatus as Brahmadandi is not justifiable in light of its antiandrogenic action. E. echinatus proved to be a promising agent for the treatment of BPH. (C) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.