Protective Effect of the Ethanolic Extracts of Leaves of Chuquiraga spinosa Less and Baccharis genistelloides on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common conditions affecting middle-aged men, with oxidative stress postulated as an important factor in its development. Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of the association of the ethanolic extract of Chuquiraga spinosa (ChS) and Baccharis genistelloides (BaG) on benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six male rats were randomized into groups: 1) Inductor Group: Testosterone enanthate (ET) 25 mg/Kg on days 8 and 14 intramuscularly. 2) Group P80: Polysorbate-80 3% 10 mL / Kg. 3) Positive Group: ET + Dutasteride (DU) 0.5 mg / Kg, 4) ET + ChS 250, 5) ET + ChS 500, 6) ET + BaG250, 7) ET + BaG 500, 8) ET + ChS 250 + BaG 250, 9) ET + ChS 500 + BaG 500, 10) ET + ChS 250 + BaG 500, 11) ET + ChS 500 + BaG250. PSA, nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), prostate dimensions by ultrasound and histopathological findings were quantified as main markers. Results: Lower levels of NO, MDA and PSA were observed in all groups treated with extract compared to the Inductor group (p <0.01), with the reductive capacity of the mixture ChS 250 + BaG 500 and ChS 500 + BaG 250 compared with Dutasteride (p <0.05). The volume of the prostate was lower in the Dutasteride, P80 and ChS250 + BaG500 groups compared to the inducer (p <0.05). Regarding the histopathological study, it was observed that the association of variable doses (ChS250 + BaG500 and ChS500 + BaG250) had a better protective effect. Conclusion: Under experimental conditions, the association of the extracts of Chuquiraga spinosa and Baccharis genistelloides has an effect in the protection of BPH induced with testosterone, which could be linked to its antioxidant capacity of the extracts.