Browsing by Author "Ihejieto, Hope Amarachi"

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    Effect of allium cepa bulb and annona muricata pulp juices on testosterone and oestradiol-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in albino rats
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2024-01) Ihejieto, Hope Amarachi
    Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related condition accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Management with conventional therapy is the only available solution, with its attendant side effects. This study investigated the effect of Annona muricata (soursop) pulp and Allium cepa (onion) bulb juices on testosterone and oestradiol-induced BPH in albino rats. The two plant samples were assessed for in vitro antioxidant properties, and acute toxicity studies. A total of 54 albino rats were used in the in vivo study, randomly distributed into 9 groups (A to I) of 6 rats each. Groups B to I were induced with 10 mg/kg b.w of 1:1 testosterone and oestradiol every two days. They were treated as follows: Groups A (normal control), B (disease control), C (standard control), D (10 ml/kg b.w soursop), E (10 ml/kg b.w onion), F (10 ml/kg b.w 1:1 soursop and onion), G (20 ml/kg b.w soursop), H (20 ml/kg b.w onion), and I (20 ml/kg b.w 1:1 soursop and onion), for 28 days. The animals were weighed weekly, and were sacrificed at the end of the treatment. Blood samples and prostates were collected for relevant assays. The results showed that soursop pulp and onion bulb juices possessed antioxidant properties, and LD50 above 5,000 mg/kg b.w. The test samples also ameliorated BPH development in varying degrees. This was evident in their ability to maintain body weight, reduce prostate weight, improve in vivo antioxidant status, hormonal and PSA levels, and elicited anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic responses. Considering the values obtained from the test groups, it can be adduced that soursop juice had better potency, especially, at low dose. The results of histological evaluation of the prostates corroborates this finding. Soursop juice was then packaged. Preliminary sensory evaluation and microbial analysis showed that the soursop juice was acceptable and safe for consumption. Soursop therefore is a beneficial fruit and its consumption should be encouraged, especially by older men.