Abstract

BPH is a prevalent androgen-dependent disorder characterized by prostatic enlargement, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This study investigated the ameliorative potential of ethanol leaf extract of Dacryodes edulis against testosterone-induced BPH using in vivo and in silico approaches. Thirty-Seven male albino rats weighing 150 g were used and twenty-five (25) of them were rendered BPH by subcutaneous testosterone propionate administration and subsequently treated with ethanol leaf extract of Dacryodes edulis (300 and 600 mg/kg) or 5 mg/kg Finasteride. Acute toxicity assessment indicated a wide safety margin for the extract. In vivo findings showed that the 600 mg/kg ethanol leaf extract significantly mitigated BPH-associated alterations, including reductions in serum testosterone (13.75±0.60 ng/mL), prostate-specific antigen (0.14±0.02 ng/mL) and 5α-reductase activity (6.81±0.20 pg/mL) better than the Finasteride (i.e. the standard drug). Dacryodes edulis extract also improved antioxidant defense while reducing lipid peroxidation. Biochemical parameters were favorably modulated, suggesting systemic protective effects. Histopathological evaluation of the prostate, liver, kidney, and testes revealed marked restoration of normal tissue architecture. Preliminary molecular docking studies further demonstrated that bioactive compounds from ethanol leaf extract of Dacryodes edulis especially 2-Methyl-7-phenylindole (-9.0 kcal/mol), 2-ethylacridine (-9.0 kcal/mol) and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (-7.7 kcal/mol) demonstrated stronger binding affinity towards alpha-1 adrenergic receptor than tamsulosin (-7.1 kcal/mol) while squalene (-9.0 kcal/mol) and 2-ethylacridine (-8.6 kcal/mol) showed a strong binding affinity to 5α-reductase type 2 but weaker than finasteride (-11.6 kcal/mol). These findings provide preliminary experimental and computational evidence that Dacryodes edulis ethanol leaf extract possesses promising therapeutic potential in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.