Effects of Total Flavonoids from Bastard Speedwell on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Rats Models

OBJECTIVE To explore action mechanism of total flavonoids from Bastard Speedwell (TFBS) on prostatic hyperplasia rats model induced by castration and testosterone propionate. METHODS Removing of bilateral testes in rats, and subcutaneous injecting of testosterone propionate 4 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 consecutive for 30 d from the 8th day of castration, established rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The model rats were divided into 5 groups, respectively were fed with 120, 60, 30 mg·kg^-1 of TFBS water solution, Longbishu capsule suspension and the same volume of normal saline solution. Separate a group of blank control group was fed with the same volume of normal saline solution. Every group was given daily administration and consecutive for 30 days. One hour after the last administration, rats were killed, taken after weighing the prostate, measured the levels of testosterone and estradiol in the prostate tissue homogenate by RIA, measured the level of epidermal growth factor in the prostate tissue homogenate by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, other part of prostate tissue in formalin solution fixed, sliced, examination of prostate tissue in each group cytological morphology. RESULTS TFBS could significantly reduce the prostate wet weight and prostate index in rat model with benign prostatic hyperplasia, significantly reduce the levels of testosterone and epidermal growth factor, and significantly increase estradiol levels in the prostate of rat model. Significantly reduce the prostate gland, increase mesenchyma, decrease density of glands, and increase surface area value. CONCLUSION TFBS has good actions of anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia, the action mechanism may be related with reducing androgen levels, improving the disordered ratio of estrogen and androgen, and reducing the level of irritation growth factor in prostate and so on.