Study of the ventral prostate of Wistar rats treated with Heteropterys tomentosa (A. Juss.)

• Grant number: 12/09114-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Mary Anne Heidi Dolder
• Grantee: Mary Anne Heidi Dolder
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Heteropterys tomentosa is a Brazilian plant traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and stimulant. Previous studies suggested possible androgenic and antioxidant effects after long term administration of H. tomentosa infusion. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of this plant infusion on the rat ventral prostate - an androgen responsive organ. Wistar rats were treated, by gavage, with H. tomentosa roots infusion (treated group, n=6) or water (control group, n=6) for 56 days. Morphological, morphometrical and stereological analyses were employed to study the ventral prostate tissue, as well as androgen receptor and apoptotic cell staining. The ultrastructure of the prostatic epithelium was also analyzed. No alteration was observed in the stereological and morphometrical analyses. The pattern of androgen receptor expression and the apoptotic index were identical in the control and treated group. Ultrastructural analysis showed no alterations caused by H. tomentosa. These results suggested that the treatment with H. tomentosa infusion, although considered a strong aphrodisiac, did not cause any major damage nor benefit to the prostate tissue. (AU)