Background. Chronic abacterial prostatitis (CAP) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are the most common urological disease in men. The results of experimental and clinical studies indicate a tight pathogenetic relationship between chronic inflammation and the development of BPH and prostate cancer. Due to the limited efficacy and adverse reactions of synthetic drugs (α-adrenoblockers, 5-α reductase inhibitors, etc.), natural herbal products, such as phytopreparations and apiary products become a viable alternative. Our research deals with pharmacological study of suppositories containing meloxicam, selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase type 2, and indole-3-carbinol - the compound, which is found in great amounts in plants of the genus Brassica (cabbage, broccoli, radish, daikon, etc.).
Methods. The specific pharmacological action of indole-3-carbinol and meloxicam (I3C+M) suppositories was studied in vivo on turpentine prostatitis model and two different models of BPH (induced by sulpiride and testosterone) in rats. Antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) properties were studied in vitro.
Efficacy of I3C+M suppositories was evaluated by changes in inflammatory markers, prooxidant-antioxidant status, sex hormones and prostatic-specific enzymes levels, spermogram, prostate secretion crystalogram, morphological examination of prostate tissues, and indices of fertility and sexual behavior of animals. The antimicrobial action of suppositories was studied by agar well method. Mueller-Hinton agar and Sabouraud-dextrose agar were used in determination of antibacterial and antifungal activity, respectively.
Results. I3C+M suppositories have profound prostate protective action, which includes pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antibacterial (against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli), and antifungal (against Candida albicans) activity. The treatment of animals with modelled pathology lead to reduction of signs of pathological process, recovery of morphological structure and functional activity of prostate, androgenization level and reproductive potential. An administration of suppositories didn't cause decrease of sexual activity and abnormality of spermogram in rats.
Conclusions. The carried out pharmacological studies showed that I3C+M suppositories have pronounced therapeutic efficacy on models of experimental prostatitis and BPH in rats. Both active substances enhance anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiproliferative actions of each other, don't cause a negative impact on reproductive functions and sexual behavior. It is expedient to develop the new drug for the treatment of CAP and BPH with these active substances.
