Protective effect of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid on testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in Wister rats

Oxidative stress is one of the major causative factors for development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid (HMBA), a potential antioxidant on testosterone induced BPH in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=6), Group I-received saline, Group II-received testosterone (3 mg/kg/s.c.), Group III-received testosterone+finasteride (5 mg/kg/oral), Group IV and V received testosterone+HMBA (200 and 400 μg/kg/i.p.), respectively, for 21 days. Animals were weighed before and after the study period. On 22nd day, animals were humanly killed by cervical dislocation. Prostates were excised and weighed, and used for biochemical and histological studies. As a result, testosterone treated rats showed increased prostate weight; prostatic index accompanied with depleted antioxidant enzymes levels, elevated lipid peroxides and total nitrite and associated histology disruption. HMBA treatment at 200 μg/kg/i.p. and 400 μg/kg/i.p. significantly restored (P<0.05) antioxidant enzyme levels, lipid peroxide and total nitrite when compared to disease control animals. It also ameliorated the testosterone induced histological changes. The present study suggests the protective role of HMBA on testosterone induced BPH by virtue of its antioxidant potential.