Influence of Epilobium angustifolium extract on 5α-reductase type 2 and MAPK3 kinase gene expression in rats prostates
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of standardized Epilobium angustifolium
L. extract [100 mg/kg/day, p.o.] on the expression level of 5α-reductase type 2 (Srd5ar2)
mRNA and Mapk3 mRNA a representative of non-genomic xenobiotics signaling pathway. It
was shown that plant extract from the E. angustifolium showed a slight tendency to reduce
prostate weight in hormonally induced animals (p>0.05) and in testosterone induced animals
receiving both, extract and finasteride (p<0.05). Finasteride in rats induced by testosterone
caused a smaller decrease in the level of mRNA 5α-steroid reductase 2 (SRd5ar2),
than in rats treated with the hormone and studied plant extracts. In general, an increase in
the amount of MAPK3 mRNAs in testosterone-induced groups of rats receiving tested plant
extract with or without finasteride was observed, while the expression of type 2 5α-steroid
reductase decreased (p<0.05). Further experimental studies should be performed in order
to understand the molecular basis of interactions, the efficacy and safety of tested plant
extracts.