Effects of larval extracts from identified Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis against benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by testosterone in rats

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis is an animal‐based medicine used traditionally in China, Japan, and Korea to treat hepatic disorders; it has been shown to possess various pharmacological effects such as antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of P. brevitarsis on a testosterone‐induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rat model. To establish the BPH model, the animals were administered a subcutaneous injection of testosterone daily for 28 days. P. brevitarsis was administered by oral gavage at doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg for 28 days, along with testosterone injection. P. brevitarsis treatment markedly decreased the absolute and relative prostate weight of BPH animals. The levels of dihydrotestosterone was reduced in P. brevitarsis‐treated animals compared to those in the BPH animals. Histological analysis of the prostate showed that P. brevitarsis treatment effectively suppressed the testosterone‐induced hyperplasia of prostatic epithelial cells, which was accompanied by reductions in the PCNA and Ki‐67 expressions in prostatic tissues. These results indicate that P. brevitarsis effectively suppresses testosterone‐induced development of BPH, and thus, is a potential therapeutic agent for BPH.