ABSTRACTÂ
Cassia alata, a plant traditionally used to address various health conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), was investigated for its preventive effects on BPH in adult male albino rats. The study involved thirty-six male rats, divided into six groups, each consisting of six rats. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were administered Cassia alata extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day orally for a duration of twenty-eight days. Concurrently, Groups 4, 5, and 6 served as positive, negative, and normal control groups, respectively. Group 4 received Finasteride (5 mg/kg/day) dissolved in water orally, while Group 5 received the vehicle (placebo). All groups, except the normal control (Group 6), were administered a daily dose of testosterone propionate at 4 mg/kg/day subcutaneously, using olive oil as the vehicle, to induce benign prostatic hyperplasia. Throughout the 28-day study, the body weight of the rats was measured and recorded weekly. The results indicated a notable decrease in prostate weight in the groups treated with Cassia alata extract, while the negative control group exhibited glandular hyperplasia, evidenced by an elevated prostate weight. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels significantly decreased in the treated groups compared to the negative control, indicating a positive impact of the extract. Furthermore, treatment with the Cassia alata extract or Finasteride led to a significant decrease in testosterone levels, bringing them to a level comparable to the normal control group. The findings of the study suggest that Cassia alata effectively prevented prostatic hyperplasia in the extracttreated group, demonstrating its potential as a preventive measure for this condition. In summary, the study highlights the promising preventive effects of Cassia alata extract on benign prostatic hyperplasia in male rats, as evidenced by changes in prostate weight, PSA levels, and testosterone levels. These findings contribute to the understanding of the potential therapeutic benefits of Cassia alata in managing prostate health.
