Igongsan reduces testosterone-induced benign prostate hyperplasia by regulating 5α-reductase in rats

• Published in: Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 211 - 220
• Main Authors: Kang, JongWook, Lee, Geun Hyuk, Jung, Yunu, Youn, Dong Hyun, Lim, Seona, Park, Jinbong, Um, Jae Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Incheon The Korean Society of Toxicogenomics and Toxicoproteomics 01.04.2018; Springer Nature B.V; 대한독성 유전단백체 학회
• Subjects: Aging; Androgen receptors; Benign; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Epithelium; Ginseng; Hyperplasia; Immunoglobulins; Immunohistochemistry; Life Sciences; Original Paper; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Propionic acid; Prostate; Steroid 5α-reductase; Testosterone; Testosterone propionate; 생물학; Prostate specific antigen; Estrogen receptor α; Type-2 5α-reductase; Benign prostate hyperplasia; Igongsan; Androgen receptor
• ISSN: 1738-642X; 2092-8467
• DOI: 10.1007/s13273-018-0023-3

Backgrounds Igongsan (IGS) is a traditional Korean herbal medication composed of five different herbs; Citri Unshius Pericarpium, Poria Sclerotium, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, and Ginseng Radix. In this study, we evaluated the effect of IGS on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a disease resulting from a noncancerous size increase of the prostate which is common in aging men. Methods We induced BPH by a 4-week daily injection of testosterone propionate and investigated the effects IGS on BPH. After pre-treatment, the rats were divided into four groups and treated by each drugs for 4 weeks. Histological alteration was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Type-2 5α-reductase (5AR-2), androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were confirmed by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry staining. Results IGS reduced the enlarged prostate and prostatic index, while the epithelium thickness and enlarged lumen area returned to their normal state in BPH-induced rats. In particular, 5AR-2, which is a major target for BPH medication, was inhibited by IGS. IGS also regulated the factors including AR and ERα to interact with 5AR-2. Consequently, PSA, a major diagnostic marker for BPH, was suppressed by IGS treatment. Conclusion Based on our findings, this study shows that IG S can alleviate BPH by regulating 5AR, suggesting its potential as a new, effective medication for BPH treatment.