Abstract: The present study aimed to compare the effect and mechanism of different concentrations of ethanol extract obtained from Catharsisus molossus Linnaeus on anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia and to consequently provide insights for the further development and use of C. molossus L. A benign prostatic hyperplasia model was established in rats by the subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate. We considered prostate wet mass,prostate index,the concentration of prostatic acid phosphatase (ρ_PAP), estradiol(ρ_E2), dihydrotestosterone (c_DHT), and testosterone (ρ_T),and the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) as indicators and evaluated the effect of ethanol extract on benign prostatic hyperplasia. The benign prostatic hyperplasia rat model was successfully constructed. Compared with the model group, 85% ethanol extract group exhibited significant reduction in the prostate wet mass and prostate index of rats as well as in the levels of ρ_PAP,ρ_E2, c_DHT, and ρ_T. Moreover, the 85% ethanol extract group showed a significant decrease in the expression of EGF, bFGF, and IGF-1 and an increase in the expression of TGF-β1. In the 85% ethanol extract group, a significant decrease in the density and significant increase in the specific surface area and specific membrane area of the prostate gland were observed. The 85% ethanol extract obtained from C. molossus L. demonstrated a good anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activity, and its mechanism was associated with the regulation of the expression of EGF, TGF-β1, bFGF, and IGF-1.

Key words: Catharsisus molossus Linnaeus, benign prostatic hyperplasia, growth factors, immunohistochemistry