Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related condition characterized by prostate enlargement and lower urinary tract symptoms. Although pharmacological treatments such as finasteride are effective, their use may be associated with adverse effects, prompting interest in plant derived alternatives. Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) seeds contain bioactive phytochemicals with reported antioxidant and other biological activities, but their potential role in prostate health remains insufficiently studied. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of T. conophorum seeds and the effects of dietary seed meal on biochemical and hormonal parameters in a rat model of testosterone induced BPH. Methods Fresh seeds of T. conophorum were processed and incorporated into experimental diets. Acute toxicity was evaluated in mice using the Lorke method. BPH was induced in male Wistar rats by subcutaneous administration of testosterone propionate (20 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Phytochemical constituents were quantified spectrophotometrically. Serum lipid profile and antioxidant biomarkers were determined using standard biochemical assays, while serum testosterone and (PSA) levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using one way analysis of variance followed by Duncan post hoc testing, with effect size estimation and Pearson correlation analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Phytochemical analysis revealed appreciable concentrations of total phenolics (260.75 ± 23.54 mg/100 g), flavonoids (102.87 ± 0.22 mg/100 g), and reducing sugars (140.48 ± 13.14 mg/100 g). Acute toxicity testing showed no mortality or observable signs of toxicity at doses up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. In testosterone induced BPH rats, the positive control group exhibited higher PSA and cholesterol levels than the normal control group. Dietary administration of T. conophorum seed meal was associated with lower PSA levels, with the lowest value observed at 1200 mg/kg body weight (4.68 ± 0.40 ng/mL), and lower serum cholesterol levels in treated groups relative to the BPH control. Effect size analysis indicated large treatment effects on PSA (η² = 0.75) and total cholesterol (η² = 0.48). Pearson correlation analysis showed associations between PSA and selected oxidative stress biomarkers. Conclusion Dietary administration of T. conophorum seed meal was associated with favorable changes in selected biochemical parameters in testosterone induced BPH rats, including lower PSA and cholesterol levels and changes in oxidative stress biomarkers. These findings indicate that T. conophorum seeds contain bioactive constituents that may influence biochemical processes associated with prostatic alterations and oxidative stress. Further studies incorporating histopathological, molecular, longer-term safety, and clinical assessments are required to clarify the potential relevance of these findings to prostate health. Clinical trial number Not applicable