Effects of resveratrol on benign prostatic hyperplasia by the regulation of inflammatory and apoptotic proteins.

Resveratrol (1) is a natural polyphenolic compound that has cardioprotective, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Although diverse biological studies of compound 1 have been conducted, no antiproliferative effects of 1 have been reported in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is a progressive disease related to inflammation and an imbalance in cell growth and apoptosis. The aims of this study were to determine whether 1suppressed BPH progression in rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms related to regulation of inflammation and apoptosis. Compound 1 treatment decreased prostate weight and cell proliferation in this animal model and markedly decreased BPH-related upregulation of iNOS and COX-2 protein expression. In addition, 1 induced Bax expression and suppressed Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expressions. Furthermore, 1 triggered caspase-3 activation and decreased levels of its substrate, PARP-1. These results suggested that 1 produced an antiproliferative effect by regulating the expression levels of proteins involved in inflammation and apoptosis during BPH.