Effect Of Methanol Extract Of Urtica Dioica On Prostate Specific Antigen And Hematological Parameters Of Dihydrotestosterone-Estradiol Valerate Induced Benign Prostate Hyperplasia In Male Wistar Rat:- Mathew, Chukwudi E

ABSTRACT xii Effect of methanol extract of Urtica dioica on prostate specific antigen and hematological parameters in dihydrotestosterone-estradiol valerate induced benign prostate hyperplasia in male wistar rat was studied. A total of 20 animals was used and were divided into five groups with a sample size of N= 4 BPH was induced using 0.9mg/kg body weight of dihydrotestosteroneestradiol valerate. The phytochemical analysis of urtica dioica showed the presence of alkaloid, Flavonoid, saponin, tanin, phytosterol, phenol, saponin, glycoside,terpene and antocyanide. The result of the LD50 showed that leaf extract of urtica dioica is relatively save at the LD50 of 3500mg/kg/bwt estimation of body weight changes showed a significant P>0.05 increase of final body weight in all the experimental groups when compared with the initial body weight. Result of urtica dioica leaf extract on relative organ weight showed a significant (P>0.05) increase in prostate weight in disease control group when compared with other experimental groups. The result showed a significant (P>0.05) increase in PSA in disease control group when compared with other experimental groups. The result showed a significant (P> 0.05) increase in WBC in disease control group when compared with other experimental groups. The result showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in RBC, in disease control group when compared with other experimental groups, the result showed no significant (P<0.05) decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) in disease control group when compared with the treated group. The result showed no significant (P<0.05) decrease in mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular concentration (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in all the experimental groups, the observed decrease in WBC in extract treated groups showed the effectiveness of Urtica dioica leaf extract in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia and this observed effect may possibly be due the high concentration of flavonoid, alkaloid, phytosterol and other phytochemicals present in leave extract of Urtica dioica which has all been proven to have numerous therapeutics, medicinal and pharmacological activities.