Astaxantin and Isoflavones Inhibit Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Normalizing Ca/Mg Balance

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common pathology among aging men. Despite the broad pharmacological interventions, the available remedies to treat BPH are yet not devoid of side effects. Herbal compounds are suggested to be an alternative option for the BPH treatment. In our study, we evaluated the effect of kudzu isoflavones and astaxanthin on the BPH animal model. The animals were randomly divided into five groups: control; testosterone-induced BPH group; and three BPH-induced groups, which received intragastrically for 28 days finasteride (5 mg/kg) as a positive control, isoflavones (200 mg/kg), and astaxanthin (25 mg/kg). BPH was induced by castration of animals and subsequent subcutaneous injections of prolonged testosterone (25 mg/kg). Prostate index and histology, biochemical parameters, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. A significant decrease in prostate weight, immunohistochemical markers, and normalization of prostate Ca/Mg ratio was found in all treatment groups. Astaxanthin treatment also resulted in decreased epithelial proliferation and normalized superoxide dismutase activity. In conclusion, both isoflavones and astaxanthin inhibited BPH development at a level comparable to finasteride in terms of prostate weight, prostatic epithelium proliferation, and prostate tissue cumulative histology score. These results suggest that isoflavones and especially astaxanthin could serve as a potential alternative therapy to treat BHP.

Effects of Isoflavone-Rich NADES Extract of Pueraria lobata Roots and Astaxanthin-Rich Phaffia rhodozyma Extract on Prostate Carcinogenesis in Rats

“…ISF was characterized by the dominance of one unsaturated component with the molecular composition C 21 H 20 O 9 ( m/z 415.10348). Likely, this component was puerarin (see [ 5 ]). However, other isoflavones were also detected: daidzein (C 15 H 10 O 4 , m/z 253.05067), genistein (C 15 H 10 O 5 , m/z 269.04556) and formononetin (C 16 H 12 O 4 , low-intensity m/z 267.06592).…”

“…It has been reported that a large number of phytochemicals have anticancer properties due to their free radical scavenging activity [ 4 ]. Previously, we observed the prominent protective effects of NADES extract of Pueraria lobata roots rich in isoflavones (ISF) and Phaffia rhodozyma extract rich in astaxanthin (ASX) against benign prostatic hyperplasia development in a rat model [ 5 ]. Isoflavones have been identified as dietary components having an important role in prostate cancer with inconsistent and controversial results [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Inhibition of α1-Adrenergic, Non-Adrenergic and Neurogenic Human Prostate Smooth Muscle Contraction and of Stromal Cell Growth by the Isoflavones Genistein and Daidzein

“…Similar to genistein, isoflavone-rich plant preparations reduced experimentally induced and age-related prostate growth in in vivo studies on rodents, including extracts from red clover, black soybeans, Kudzu ( Pueraria montana ) and Pueraria mirifica [ 38 , 40 , 42 , 50 , 51 ], as did a soy-based, phytoestrogen-rich diet [ 39 ]. These and similar preparations contain several different isoflavones, with compositions and predominant compounds varying between plant species.…”

An eco-friendly approach to enhance the extraction and recovery efficiency of isoflavones from kudzu roots and soy molasses wastes using ultrasound-assisted extraction with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES)

“…Extraction of isoflavones from kudzu root and soy molasses was undertaken using an ultrasonic bath (at 80 • C for 2 h, ultrasonic power of 180 W and frequency of 37 kHz), as previously described, and with minor modifications (Semenov et al, 2021). After extraction, the mixtures were centrifuged at 10000 rpm, NADES supernatants were washed using ethyl acetate thrice (1:3 v/v ratio) in a separating funnel and the resultant upper layer was concentrated using a rotatory evaporator until complete dryness.…”