Relative Influence of Ageratum conyzoides L. Plant Extracts on Testosterone Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Mice

Purpose: The present study was designed to investigate the inhibitory efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ageratum conyzoide L. (AC, Family asteraceae) on testosterone induced BPH in male mice. Materials and Methods: Mice were randomly divided into five groups (n=6): negative control group received corn oil, BPH model group receive testosterone (5mg/kg/day, S.C) dissolved in corn oil. Another group received standard BPH drug finasteride (5 mg/Kg/day, I.P) along with testosterone injection (5mg/kg/day, S.C). The other two group of animals received either aqueous or ethanolic AC plant extracts (100, 500. 1000 and 2000 mg/kg, I.P) along with testosterone (5mg/kg/day, S.C) consecutively for 28 days. All animals were sacrificed at the end of the study period and prostate weight and prostatic index were determined, followed by histolopathological examination of the prostate gland. Results: The result of the present study indicated that treatment with either plant extracts caused significant reduction in prostate weight and prostatic index when compared to only testosterone treated animal group. The percentage of inhibition of prostate growth was found to be correlated in a dose dependent manner in plant extract treated groups. Histopathological examination of prostate gland revealed AC plant extracts treatment significantly reduced the glandular hyperplasia, epithelial thickness and stromal hyperplasia in the prostate gland of the treated animals. No significant elevation in serum ALT and creatinine level was recorded in any groups during the study period. Conclusion: This study hence indicate the therapeutic potential in Ageratum conyzoides L. plant extract in testosterone induced BPH model in mice.