Nephrotoprotective Effect of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) Extract on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Adult Male Rats

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The condition is associated with symptoms like frequency in urination, hesitancy, nocturia, weak urine stream and sexual dysfunction. The effect of Vernonia amygdalina extract (VA) on kidney and liver function indices in BPH was investigated.

Methods: A total of 30 rats weighing 200-300 g were divided according to body weight into five groups (n=6). One group was used as a control and the other groups received subcutaneous injections of testosterone and estradiol for 3 weeks to induce BPH. Groups I and II were treated with different doses of VA extracts and group III received finasteride, all by gavages for thirty-five days. While group IV was left untreated, group V served as normal control. After thirty-five days of treatment with VA extract, the rats were anaesthetised by short contact with trichloromethane vapour. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture and the sera centrifuged and used for the determination of different biochemical indices. The prostates were harvested and weighed.

Results: The level of urea and creatinine were significantly (P<0.05) reduced when compared to the BPH control. No significant differences in serum concentrations of AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT were recorded in all treatment groups compared to the BPH control.

Conclusion: The extract of Vernonia amygdalina seed exhibited nephroprotective effect on the kidney of BPH induced rats, while there was no observable effect on the liver as benign prostate hyperplasia appeared not to have had any alteration on the liver enzymes.