This is an outdated version published on 2026-06-22. Read the most recent version.

Changes in Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and Acid Phosphatase (ACP) in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia–Induced Rats Treated with Material and Potentized Doses of Thuja occidentalis

Authors

Francis O. Ugwuene Enugu State University of Science and Technology
David I. Lebechukwu Enugu State University of Science and Technology
Favour U. Onukwube Enugu State University of Science and Technology
Martina A. Ngwu Enugu State University of Science and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i6.83

Keywords:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Thuja occidentalis, Prostate-specific antigen, Acid phosphatase, Testosterone propionate

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of Thuja occidentalis on serum PSA and ACP levels in testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats. Benign prostatic hyperplasia was induced subcutaneously in male albino rats using testosterone propionate. Serum PSA and ACP levels were determined using ELISA method. Data were analyzed statistically, and results were expressed as mean ± standard error of mean, with significance set at p < 0.05. Testosterone propionate administration caused a significant increase in serum PSA and ACP levels compared with the normal control group (p < 0.05). The findings of this study indicate that Thuja occidentalis extracts and potentized solutions possess significant anti-hyperplastic activity in testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia, as evidenced by reductions in PSA and ACP levels. This suggests that Thuja occidentalis may serve as a potential natural therapeutic agent for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

References

Abarikwu, S.O., Otuechere, C.A., Ekor, M., Monwuba, K. and Osobu, D., 2020. Rutin ameliorates testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats through inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 44(3), e13121

Ansari, M.A., Raish, M., Ahmad, A. and Nadeem, A. (2018) Protective effect of Thuja occidentalis on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats: Involvement of oxidative stress and inflammation. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 42(3), e12551

Balk, S.P., Ko, Y.J. and Bubley, G.J. (2003) Biology of prostate-specific antigen. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 21(2): 383–391

Berry, S.J., Coffey, D.S., Walsh, P.C. and Ewing, L.L. (1984) The development of human benign prostatic hyperplasia with age. The Journal of Urology, 132(3): 474–479

Biswas, S.K., McClure, D., Jimenez, L.A., Megson, I.L. and Rahman, I. (2011) Antioxidant activities of Thuja occidentalis. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 50(6): 777–784

Boericke W (2013) Sabal Serrulata . Boericke New Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory, 3rd Revised Ed. 497.

Carson, C. and Rittmaster, R. (2003) The role of dihydrotestosterone in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology, 61(4): 2–7

Caruntu, S., Ciceu, A., Olh N. K., Don, I., Hermenean,A., Cotoraci C. 2020. Thuja occidentalis L (Cupressaceae): Ethnobothany, Phytochemistry and Biological Activity. Molecules, 25(22): 5416

De Nunzio, C., Kramer, G., Marberger, M., Montironi, R., Nelson, W., Schröder, F. and Sciarra, A., 2011. The controversial relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer: The role of inflammation. European Urology, 60(1): 106–117.

De Shepper L (2001) Hahneman Revised: A text book of Classical Homeopathy for Professionals., Santa Fe, NM, Full of Life Publication.

Duffy M.J (2011) PSA Biology and Function. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, 48(4): 310-320.

Ho, C.K., Habib, F.K. and Lee, M.H. (2008) Testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in experimental animals. Asian Journal of Andrology, 10(2): .291–296

Khaidakov, M., Santhanam, L. and Mehta, J.L. (2010) Dietary herbal extracts modulate oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Prostate, 70(2): 160–167

Kiyoshima K, Yokomizo A, Yoshida T, Tomita K, Yonemasu H, Nakamura M, Oda Y, Naiti S and Hasegawa Y (2004) Anatomical features of periprostatic tissues and its suroundings: a histological analysis of 79 retropubic prostectomy specimens. Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 34(8): 463-468.

Kumar, V., Abbas, A.K. and Aster, J.C., 2019. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier

Lilja, H., Ulmert, D. and Vickers, A.J., 2008. Prostate-specific antigen and prostate cancer: Prediction, detection and monitoring. Nature Reviews Cancer, 8(4): 268–278

Lilja, H , 2003. “Biology of Prostate Specific Antigen” Urology, 62(5 Suppl 1): 27-33.

Little D (2014) The Homeopathic Compendum, History and Phylosophy, 6th Ed. 1: 165 -169.

McConnell, J.D., Roehrborn, C.G., Bautista, O.M. et al. (2003) The long-term effect of doxazosin, finasteride, and combination therapy on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia. New England Journal of Medicine, 349(25): 2387–2398

McVary, K.T. (2011) BPH: epidemiology and comorbidities. The American Journal of Managed Care, 17(12): S122–S128

Mishra, S., Ahmed, S. and Pandey, M. (2020) Prostate-specific antigen and acid phosphatase: biochemical markers in prostatic disorders. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 35(3): 305–312

Muniyan, S, Nagendra J. C., Jennifer G. D., Chad A.L., William G.C., Ming-Fong L. Human Prostate Acid Phosphatase: Structure, Function and Regulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 14(5): 10438-10464.

Naser, B., Bodinet, C., Tegtmeier, M. and Lindequist, U., 2005. Thuja occidentalis (Arbor vitae): A review of its pharmaceutical, pharmacological and clinical properties. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2(1): 69–78

Nickel, J.C. (2008) Inflammation and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urologic Clinics of North America, 35(1): 109–115

Nickel, J.C., Roehrborn, C.G., O’Leary, M.P. et al. (2008) The relationship between prostate inflammation and lower urinary tract symptoms. European Urology, 54(6): 1379–1384

Oesterling, J.E. (1991) Prostate-specific antigen: a critical assessment of the most useful tumor marker for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The Journal of Urology, 145(5): 907–923

Patel, R. and Singh, P. (2021) Natural compounds in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Phytotherapeutic perspectives. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 269, 113691

Roehrborn, C.G. (2008) Benign prostatic hyperplasia: an overview. Reviews in Urology, 10(Suppl 1): S3–S14

Roehrborn, C.G., 2018. Pathology of benign prostatic hyperplasia. International Journal of Impotence Research, 30(3): 75–81

Salo J. O., Rannikko S., Haapiainen R. (1990) Serum acid phosphatase in patients with localized prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia and normal prostate. British Journal of Urology, 66(2): 188-192

Shapiro, E., Becich, M.J., Hartanto, V. and Lepor, H., 2016. The relative proportion of stromal and epithelial hyperplasia is related to the development of symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia. Journal of Urology, 197(5): 1339–1345

Singh, S., Sharma, B., Kanwar, S.S. and Kumar, A., 2017. Phytochemicals as therapeutic agents in benign prostatic hyperplasia: A review. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 15(5): 379–391.

Ugwuene, F.O, Ugo E.I (2022). Pathological Investigation, a Possible Enhancement of of Totality of Symptoms: Prostate Specific Antigen Assay in Enugu Metropollis, a Case Study. World Journal of Innovative Research,12(3): 69- 73.

Uotila, P., Valve, E., Martikainen, P. and Härkönen, P. (2001) Acid phosphatase activity in the prostate: physiology and pathology. Histochemistry and Cell Biology, 115(4): 327–334

Waugh A and Grant A (2014) Reproductive system In Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness, 12 Ed: 462

Xu, Y., Liu, L. and Dong, X. (2020) Advances in testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia model and its application in pharmacological research. Andrologia, 52(2), e13499

Yakubu, M.T., Akanji, M.A. and Oladiji, A.T., 2015. Anti-androgenic potentials of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis in male rats. Asian Journal of Andrology, 17(1):1–6