Liang-Chih Liu1,2, Yung-Hsiang Lin3, Ying-Chao Lin4,5,6, Chi-Tang Ho7, Chao-Ming Hung8,9, Tzong-DER Way10, DA-Tian Bau11,12. 1. Department of Surgery, Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. 2. Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. 3. TCI Co., Ltd. Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. 4. Division of Neurosurgery, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taichung Branch, Taiwan, R.O.C. 5. School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, R.O.C. 6. Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Science, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. 7. Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A. 8. Department of General Surgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C. 9. School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C. 10. Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biopharmaceutical and Food Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. datian@mail.cmuh.org.tw artbau2@gmail.com tdway@mail.cmu.edu.tw. 11. Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. datian@mail.cmuh.org.tw artbau2@gmail.com tdway@mail.cmu.edu.tw. 12. Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: The banana flower is used for ameliorating urinary disturbance. However, there is limited evidence to support the efficacy or mechanism of action of banana flower against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In the present study, the anti-BPH activity and mechanisms of banana flower extracts were investigated in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The banana flower extract is a water-soluble extract obtained by sonication. MTT assay was used to examine whether banana flower extract exhibited cytotoxic effects on BPH-1 cells. The effect of banana flower extract on cell-cycle distribution was examined by flow cytometry. The expression of cell-cycle-regulatory molecules was determined by western blot analysis. Testosterone propionate (TP)-induced rat model of BPH was used to evaluate the anti-BPH activity of banana flower extract in vivo. RESULTS: Banana flower extract reduced epithelial cell line BPH-1 cell viability through cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase. Moreover, banana flower extract reduced the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 6, while it increased the expression of p53 and p27. Interestingly, banana flower extract suppressed BPH-related inflammatory responses through suppressing cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production. Finally, banana flower extract administered orally to male rats reduced prostatic weight and serum dihydrotestosterone level, and improved prostate gland morphology. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that banana flower extract contains citric acid, taurine, pantothenic acid and nicotinic acid components. In summary, banana flower extract may be used as a therapeutic agent for BPH via anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities. Copyright
BACKGROUND/AIM: The banana flower is used for ameliorating urinary disturbance. However, there is limited evidence to support the efficacy or mechanism of action of banana flower against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In the present study, the anti-BPH activity and mechanisms of banana flower extracts were investigated in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The banana flower extract is a water-soluble extract obtained by sonication. MTT assay was used to examine whether banana flower extract exhibited cytotoxic effects on BPH-1 cells. The effect of banana flower extract on cell-cycle distribution was examined by flow cytometry. The expression of cell-cycle-regulatory molecules was determined by western blot analysis. Testosterone propionate (TP)-induced rat model of BPH was used to evaluate the anti-BPH activity of banana flower extract in vivo. RESULTS:Banana flower extract reduced epithelial cell line BPH-1 cell viability through cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase. Moreover, banana flower extract reduced the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 6, while it increased the expression of p53 and p27. Interestingly, banana flower extract suppressed BPH-related inflammatory responses through suppressing cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production. Finally, banana flower extract administered orally to male rats reduced prostatic weight and serum dihydrotestosterone level, and improved prostate gland morphology. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that banana flower extract contains citric acid, taurine, pantothenic acid and nicotinic acid components. In summary, banana flower extract may be used as a therapeutic agent for BPH via anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities. Copyright
Authors: A Handisurya; G E Steiner; U Stix; R C Ecker; S Pfaffeneder-Mantai; D Langer; G Kramer; N Memaran-Dadgar; M Marberger Journal: Prostate Date: 2001-12-01 Impact factor: 4.104