Inflammatory pathway employed by Red Maca to treat induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a pathology characterised by an increase in prostate size associated with low urinary tract symptoms. Finasteride (F), a 5a‐reductase inhibitor, is the standard treatment for BPH reducing prostate weight but also sexual desire. The Peruvian plant known as Red Maca (RM) (Lepidium meyenii) inhibits BPH in rats and mice. The aim of the study was to assess the inflammatory effect of RM and finasteride in rats with testosterone enanthate (TE)‐induced BPH. Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups: Control, TE (50 mg/rat), TE + F (0.6 mg/kg), and two groups of TE + RM 40/80 (40 or 80 mg). After treatments, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa), interleukin 4 (IL4) and interferon gamma (INFg) as well as testosterone and oestradiol were evaluated and inflammatory cells (neutrophils, mast cells and lymphocytes) in prostate were quantified. Red Maca and finasteride treatments decreased inflammatory cells counts in prostate, inhibiting TNFa by different pathways. Finasteride increased IL4 whereas Red Maca increased INFg. In conclusion, data suggest that finasteride acts on Th2 response by increasing IL4 in prostate, while Red Maca acts on Th1 response mediated by INFg.

Serenoa repens and Urtica dioica Fixed Combination: In-Vitro Validation of a Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

“…According to the critical role of chronic inflammation and ROS production in the pathogenesis and degeneration of BPH, targeting inflammatory mechanisms and oxidative stress could be a promising approach for the treatment of BPH and the consequent prevention of LUTS [35]. In fact, although the standard treatments for BPH consist of α-Adrenergic blockers and 5α-Reductase inhibitors [36][37][38][39], the role of plant extracts in BPH symptom counteraction has been recently demonstrated [37]. In our work, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of a drug approved for BPH treatment, SR/UD, in a human BPH in vitro model (BPH-1 cell line).…”

Effects of maca (Lepidium meyenii) on nutrient digestibility and major nutrient transporters in rats fed a high‐fat diet

“…(iv) HFD + Lepidium meyenii group, in addition to a fed high‐fat diet, rats were given a daily dose of 40 mg/kg / BW of maca powder extract by intragastric gavage for 8 weeks. The dosage of maca was selected according to previous studies (Gencoglu, 2020 ; Vásquez‐Velásquez et al., 2020 ). The nutritional supplement used in this study was an effective amount of maca combination ( Lepidium meyenii Linn.).…”

Effects of two polysaccharides from Lepidium meyenii (maca) on intestinal immunity and inflammation in vitro

“…Therefore, MC-2 could alleviate the inflammatory reactions. The anti-inflammatory activity of maca has been widely reported, 39,40 and substances that exert anti-inflammatory activity are thought to be related to flavonoids, macamides, and N-benzyl-linoleamide. 41,42 Our previous study and this study suggest that maca polysaccharides may play a role in the anti-inflammatory activity of maca.…”