Ameliorative effect of roxithromycin against prostate inflammation-induced chronic pelvic pain in a preclinical model

In view of the well-known anti-inflammatory property of roxithromycin, the present study was carried out to evaluate its efficacy in ameliorating prostate inflammation-induced chronic pelvic pain in rat model. Inflammation was induced by single intraprostatic injection of carrageenan where a time course study revealed a peak histology score on day 14. The efficacy study was carried out in four sets of rats, each comprising five groups, which included respective normal and experimental controls (NC, EC). The drugs (roxithromycin 5 and 20 mg/kg, diclofenac 5 mg/kg) were given daily orally and pain score and body weight were evaluated at different time intervals. The prostatic index, vascular permeability, tissue levels of TNF-α and PGE₂, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, glutathione and superoxide dismutase, histology score, and immunoreactivity of COX-2 and iNOS were evaluated on day 14. Like diclofenac, roxithromycin decreased pain score and the rats gained weight during the study period as compared to the EC group. The beneficial effect of roxithromycin was also evident from the dose-dependent restoration of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. This study shows that by alleviating pain and suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress, roxithromycin has a potential to provide relief in prostatitis.