ABSTRACT

The effect of administration of methanol extract of Citrullus lanatus seed on liver function, renal profile, body weight and relative organweight was studied in Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) induced male Albino Rats. Phytochemical and acute toxicity study was conducted on the seed of Citrullus lanatus using standard methods. Thirty rats were divided into five experimental groups of 6 rats each; Group 1- normal control, Group 2- disease control (BPH-group), Group 3- standard drugs control (finasteride-group), Group 4 and 5 (200 and 400 mg/kg of Citrullus lanatus extract respectively). The normal was not induced with BPH but was given olive oil administered orally (everyday) and subcutaneously (alternative days) for 28 days. The disease control group was induced BPH hormones in an alternative days and oral administration of olive oil for 28 days. The standard control group (induced BPH) was given finasteride 5mg/70kg administered orally every day. The 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg ofmethanol extract ofCitrullus lanatus seed was given to BPH induced rats orally every day respectively. Results ofthe phytochemical studies showed high levels of flavonoids (2.17 ± 0.014mg/100g), followed by, saponins (2.11 ± 0.014mg/100g) and reducing sugar (1.615 ± 0.212mg/100g). Cyanogenic glycoside (0.04 ± 0.007mg/100g) has the lowest concentration. The result also showed that prostate specific antigen (PSA) which a maker of BPH decreased significantly (P<0.05) in groups treated with different doses of Citrullus lanatus extract. Body weight and total protein increased while ALT, AST, ALP, ALB, Creatinine and urea significant (P< 0.05) decreased in treated BPH rats compared to non-treated diseased group. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed for bilirubin of all the experimental groups when compared with the control. This study reveals important phytochemical constituent which showsthat Citrullus lanatus may have beneficial effect in preventing or suppressing the development of B(PH and useful in treatment and management.