Effect of Achyranthes bidentata   Blume extract on carrageenan-induced chronic prostatitis in rats

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Achyranthes bidentata Blume. Extract (ABBE) on carrageenan-induced chronic prostatitis in rats.
Methods: Experimental chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP) was induced in rats by 1 % carrageenan (0.1 mL). Prostate index (PI) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were determined after 3 weeks of adiministration. Relative inflammatory factors, viz, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PEG2), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the prostate tissues of all group rats were measured.
Results: In CNP model, ABBE decreased PI and PSA compared with untreated control group (p < 0.01). Morphometric analysis showed a significant reduction in chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates and interstitial fibrosis compared to control group. Reduced values of TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2, PEG2 were observed in ABBE-treated groups compared with model group respectively (p < 0.01). Moreover, the levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF in ABBE-treated groups were significantly lower, and in addition, there was alleviation of the inflammatory state of the prostate gland (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: ABBE showed antichronic non-bacterial prostatitis effect by multiple ways in rats, thus indicating its potential suitability for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.