Purpose: To investigate the effect of
Phellodendron
chinense Schneid (PCS) extracts on carrageenaninduced
chronic prostatitis in rats.
Methods: Experimental chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP) was induced in rats by injecting
carrageenan into prostatitis. Rats in treated groups were administered either PCS extract or positive
control (cernilton) for 3 weeks while those in the control group received saline instead. After treatment,
prostate index (PI) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of all rats were examined by ELISA. The degree
of chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates, acinar changes and interstitial fibrosis were evaluated by
histopathological examination. In addition, relative inflammatory factors, viz, tumor necrosis factor-α
(TNF-α), interleukin1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PEG
2), transforming
growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) of prostate tissues of all the rats
were measured by ELISA.
Results: High-dose PCS (400 mg/kg) significantly decreased PI (1.0 ± 0.1 mg/ml) relative to reference
group (2.1 ± 0.2, p < 0.01) while high-dose PCS (400 mg/kg) significantly decreased PSA level (154.2 ±
14.3 pg/ml) relative to the reference group (312.5 ± 20.5 pg/ml, p < 0.01). Morphometric analysis
demonstrated the presence of chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates, and interstitial fibrosis decreased
significantly compared to the reference group. Compared with reference group (165.4 ± 14.2 pg/ml),
TNF-α level in the prostate tissues of high-dose PCS group rats decreased (116.5 ± 9.3) significantly (p
< 0.01). Similarly, compared with reference group (176.1 ± 12.1 pg/ml), IL-1β level of prostate tissues of
high-dose PCS group rats decreased (97.6 ± 11.3) significantly (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: PCS extract has significant therapeutic effect on carrageenan-induced chronic prostatitis
in rats.
