Pharmacological effects of the lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon (R)) on rat prostate hyperplasia induced by hyperprolactinemia: Comparison with finasteride

BACKGROUND. The growth of the prostate gland is mainly dependent on androge ns. Other hormones, like prolactin (PRL), also influence prostate developme nt. Our purpose was to analyze and compare the effects of two drugs (5 alph a-reductase inhibitor) used in the therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia: lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESR), and finasteride in an in vivo model of rat prostate hyperplasia induced by hyperprolactinemia. METHODS. Hyperprolactinemia was induced by 30 daily injections of sulpiride . Wistar rats received daily gavages of LSESR or finasteride. We used the f ollowing groups: control, castrated, castrated with a substitute testostero ne (T), or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) implant. RESULTS. Hyperprolactinemia increases the wet weight and induces hyperplasi a in the lateral prostate (LP). Unlike finasteride, LSESR significantly red uced LP growth and hyperplasia in castrated, DHT-implanted, and sulpiride-t reated rats. CONCLUSIONS. Finasteride was only capable of inhibiting the effect of andro gens on rat prostate enlargement. LSESR inhibited not only the androgenic b ut also the trophic effect of PRL in rat LP hyperplasia. Prostate 43:49-58, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.