Effect of kolaviron, a biflavanoid complex from Garcinia kola on some biochemical parameters in experimentally induced benign prostatic hyperplasic rats

Abstract Background To determine the effect of kolaviron on some biochemical parameters in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rats. Methods BPH was induced in rats using a mixture of dihydrotestosterone and estradiol valerate (10:1). Results The lethal dose of kolaviron was 3050 mg/kg body weight. Body weights, relative heart weight (RHW), relative liver weight (RLW), serum levels of prostate specific antigen, prolactin, estradiol, testosterone, testosterone/estradiol ratio, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), urea, creatinine and prostatic levels of total proteins in the normal rats administered finasteride (standard drug) or kolaviron were not different (P > 0.05) from normal control whereas most of these parameters were altered in the disease control except RHW, RLW, AST and ALT. Finasteride (5 mg/70 kg) or kolaviron (100 and 200 mg/kg) ameliorated most of these parameters compared with disease control except RHW, RLW, prolactin, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine (for kolaviron at 100 mg/kg). The normal rats administered finasteride or kolaviron had decreased prostate weights (P < 0.05) compared with the normal control which results were corroborated by histological assay that also showed that treatment with kolaviron (200 mg/kg) or finasteride reversed the histoarchitecture of the prostates of the BPH rats. Conclusion Kolaviron could be useful in the management of BPH.