Arecoline augments cellular proliferation in the prostate gland of male Wistar rats

► Effect of arecoline was investigated on the endocrine physiology of male Wistar rats. ► Increase observed in prostate size, wet weight, serum testosterone and gonadotropins. ► Arecoline increased RER, expression of androgen receptor and cellular proliferation. ► Upregulation of cyclin D1 and CDK4 seen at transcriptional and translational levels. ► It may cause disorders associated with prostatic hyperplasia and hyperactivity.