The effect of Metapanax delavayi leaf extract on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

The leaves of Metapanax delavayi (Araliaceae) have been consumed as a common wild vegetable and herbal tea in China. In this study, we evaluated the effect of M. delavayi leaves aqueous extract (MD-T) and its fractions (MD-W and MD-E) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in testosterone propionate (TP) induced rat model based on folk applications. The results showed that MD-T and MD-E could significantly reduce the prostate weight, prostate index, and serum level of prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) in BPH rats and improve the tissue morphology of the prostate. They mainly played roles in regulating the sex hormone level, reducing the levels of inflammatory factors and improving the antioxidant levels of prostate tissue. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis showed that the main components of MD-E were saponins and sesquiterpenes, and the content of liangwanoside II was the highest. Our findings suggested that MD-T and its fraction MD-E showed an anti-BPH effect.