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Saw Palmetto Extract Ameliorates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating 5α-Reductase and Apoptosis In Vitro and In Vivo

  • 0Research and Development Center, Shaanxi Prispex SFE Co., Ltd, Xi'an, China.
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms +

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May 21, 2025

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May 21, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Saw palmetto extract (SPE) reduces prostate weight and inhibits key BPH-related proteins. This study clarifies SPE

Area Of Science

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Urology

Background

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in aging men.
  • The molecular mechanisms underlying BPH progression are not fully elucidated.
  • Saw palmetto extract (SPE) is used for BPH, but its precise actions require further investigation.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms of SPE in BPH.
  • To evaluate the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of SPE.
  • To determine SPE's impact on key BPH-related molecular targets.

Main Methods

  • In vitro studies using LNCap cells treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
  • In vivo studies using testosterone-induced BPH in SD rats.
  • Assays included TUNEL, Muse Cell Analyzer, CCK8, HE staining, Western blot, and ELISA.

Main Results

  • SPE treatment increased apoptosis and decreased cell viability in vitro.
  • SPE reduced prostate weight and serum DHT/testosterone levels in rats.
  • SPE significantly decreased protein expression of AR, PSA, SRC-1, and 5α-reductase 2 (5AR2) both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

  • SPE exhibits anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties.
  • SPE inhibits 5α-reductase and DHT expression, crucial for BPH.
  • SPE effectively mitigates BPH progression through molecular mechanisms.

Keywords:

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