Identification and Antiproliferative Effect of Syngnathus schlegeli Extracts on Benign Prostatic Hyperplastic Cells

Pipefish, a traditional tonic in Chinese food, has attracted attention from both scientific and industrial interest for its potential protective effects on the prostate. The research investigates the structural characteristics and anti-prostatic hyperplasia properties of petroleum ether extract (PE) from Syngnathus schlegeli. PE contained 1776 distinct lipid compounds, with phospholipids accounting for as much as 63.41% of the total. Among these phospholipids, the relative contents of lysolipid phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PS) are relatively high, at 40.73% and 6.02%, respectively. PE upregulated the expression levels of Bax, p21WAF1/Cip1, and p53 proteins while downregulating Cyclin D1 and CDK2 proteins in TP-induced RWPE-1 cells. This modulation resulted in cell cycle arrest and a subsequent inhibition of cell proliferation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that PE inhibited integrin ITGB3, thereby disrupting ECM-receptor interaction. This disruption affects cytoskeletal remodeling and focal adhesion, while also inhibiting the downstream PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Consequently, these effects impede the progression of TP-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Notably, saturated PS exhibited a strong affinity for ITGB3 and could form stable complexes. These results indicate that PS compounds in PE have potential antiproliferative effects on BPH and could serve as a promising active compound. Practical Application: The pipefish extract PE obtained in this study demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on BPH while exhibiting low toxicity. This suggests a promising potential for its development as a functional food aimed at enhancing male reproductive health, addressing the healthcare needs of a significant portion of middle-aged and elderly men.