Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related chronic disorder, characterized by the hyperproliferation of prostatic epithelial and stromal cells, which drives prostate enlargement. Since BPH aetiology and progression have been associated with the persistence of an inflammatory stimulus, induced both by Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, the inhibition of these pathways could result in a good tool for its clinical treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of a combined formulation of Serenoa repens and Urtica dioica (SR/UD) in an in vitro human model of BPH. The results confirmed both the antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory effects of SR/UD. In fact, SR/UD simultaneously reduced ROS production, NF-κB translocation inside the nucleus, and, consequently, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) production. Furthermore, the effect of SR/UD was also tested in a human androgen-independent prostate cell model, PC3. SR/UD did not show any significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, but was able to reduce NF-κB translocation. Taken together, these results suggested a promising role of SR/UD in BPH and BPH-linked disorder prevention.
International journal of molecular sciences. 2020 Dec 02*** epublish ***
Miriam Saponaro, Isabella Giacomini, Giulia Morandin, Veronica Cocetta, Eugenio Ragazzi, Genny Orso, Ilaria Carnevali, Massimiliano Berretta, Mariangela Mancini, Francesco Pagano, Monica Montopoli
Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy., Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padua, Italy., Clinical Research Department of Schwabe Pharma Italia, 39100 Bolzano, Italy., Department of Medical Oncology-Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy., Urological Clinic, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences and School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Padova, 35124 Padova, Italy., Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, 35129 Padova, Italy.